By Priscilla Osaje, News Agency of Nigeria
The 8th edition of the annual Argungu Polo and Culture Fete is set to hold on Sept. 7 to Sept. 9 in Argungu, Kebbi, says Alhaji Nura Kangiwa.
This is contained in a statement by Kangiwa, Director -General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), and signed by the institute Public Relations Officer, Mr Joesef Karim on Thursday in Abuja.
Kangiwa, the Turakin Kebbi and Patron of NSK Polo Ranch and Resort, said the 8th edition of the Festival would feature top-tier polo teams.
According to Kangiwa, the event will showcase diverse traditional sports and sundry cultural entertainment and ancient Argungu Kingdom and Northern Nigeria.
He added that the indigenous culture include: traditional wrestling, camel racing, horse racing, folk dancing, bull fighting, and display of Northern Nigeria culinary arts.
Over the years, Argungu Polo Tournament and Cultural Fete has emerged as one of the largest festivals of sports and culture in Nigeria and West Africa.
“It is a showcase of Nigerian Polo tournament and Northern-Nigeria traditional sports and rich cultural entertainment.
“The Argungu Polo tournament is one of the most competitive in Nigeria.
“Top-level players and leading Polo teams in Nigeria have increasingly been competing for cups, exalted trophies and laurels in the Argungu Polo Tournament,” he said.
Kangiwa said that Argungu’s myriad of tourism destination has contributed in establishing the Argungu Polo tournament, as a delight for domestic inbound tourists.
“Argungu is the host town of the UNESCO intangible heritage site; the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival.
“It is noteworthy that Argungu Emirate is one of the most famous kingdoms in Northern Nigeria, dating back to the 19th century.
“The kingdom, situated in present day Kebbi, traverses parts of Niger and Benin Republics”, he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Polo festival have participation from Nigerian and neighboring West African countries, including Niger and Benin Republics.(NAN)