By Jennete Ugo Anya
The National Sports Commission (NSC) is set to drive Nigeria’s sports economy by integrating horse racing into its weekend sporting calendar, a move aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s sports economy mandate.
According to Dr. Kehinde Ajayi, Director of Information & Public Relations at the NSC, the initiative – dubbed the sports weekend economy – envisions sporting facilities across the country bustling every weekend with activities spanning grassroots, community, and elite levels. Horse racing is seen as a key anchor sport for this plan.
The NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, made this known recently while hosting a delegation from the Nigeria Horse Racing Federation (NHRF), alongside the Emir of Zazzau, HRH Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, and the Etsu Nupe, HRH Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, in Abuja.
“The horse racing activities clearly align with what we are trying to do,” Mallam Dikko said. “When I attended the Sahel races in Bida and Kaduna this year, I wasn’t just watching the races; I was looking at the jobs being sustained – from those selling at the venues to the handlers and trainers. These are all sports-induced jobs.”
He noted that the commission’s goal of creating over 3 million sports jobs would be significantly supported by weekend sporting events.
Horse Racing as a Growth Driver
Mallam Dikko pledged to fast-track the formal recognition of the NHRF under the NSC, which would enable funding allocations and facilitate the construction and upgrade of horse racing courses across major cities.
“We want to see sports venues active every weekend. When people plan their weekends, we want them to factor in a nearby sporting event. The uniqueness of horse racing makes it a very viable pillar for the sports weekend economy,” he added.
Responding to the Etsu of Nupe’s request, the NSC Chair promised to facilitate the establishment of a horse racing course in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Legislative and Royal Backing
The Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Hon. Kabiru Amadu Mai Palace, assured that the National Assembly would work to strengthen regulatory support for horse racing and other sports.
“Our aim is to move Nigerian sports from consumption to production as envisioned by Mr. President,” he said.
The Etsu Nupe, in his remarks, underscored horse racing as a royal heritage and expressed confidence that the NHRF, with government backing, could soon gain a global presence.
Meanwhile, NHRF Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Aminu Dantata, disclosed that the federation had hosted five domestic races this year and was preparing to compete in international events such as the Dubai World Cup, Saudi Cup, and Irish Race.
The meeting also featured the presentation of gift items to Mallam Dikko by the Emir of Zazzau, who commended Dikko’s efforts to revitalise Nigeria’s sporting landscape and champion the sports economy vision.
