Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has promised more support to the game of polo, describing it as one sport that has put the name of the state on national and international maps.
Lalong spoke at the opening ceremony of 2022 Jos polo tournament, yesterday, where he also inaugurated a new Polo Club that was constructed recently.
The governor appreciated the President of Plateau State Polo Club, Murtala Ahmadu Laushi, and his team, for transforming the Club to be one of the best in Nigeria.
He said the return of polo and other social activities in the state was as a result of the restoration of peace, which has attracted many people to the ‘Home of Peace and Tourism’.
He said though he has not tried the game of polo, the assurance by the club to admit him and put him through is a motivation he wants to consider.
The governor called on the people of Plateau State to sustain the peaceful and mutual existence that has existed since his assumption of office because the peace has attracted people to Jos while businesses are flourishing.
In his remarks, President of the Jos Polo Club, Murtala Laushi, ascribed the successes recorded in transforming the game to the peace restored in the state and the all- inclusive-governance style of Governor Lalong.
He thanked Lalong for agreeing to relocate the annual Trade Fair from the Polo Club to sustain the quality of the field and the infrastructure.
Laushi told the governor that 42 teams are in Jos to compete at the polo tournament, including participants from South Africa, Argentina and the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, journalists in Plateau State have boycotted this year’s Jos polo tournament over the payment of N1000 for them to enter the venue to cover the events.
The vice president of the tournament, who is the Media and Publicity Committee Chairman, Mr. Edward Fom, gave the directive on Tuesday evening while speaking with some newsmen. He insisted that the journalists must pay the sum of N1000 to enable them to cover the event.
