The Hope Renewed 1st Year International Horse Racing Derby opened on Wednesday in Kaduna.

Akonitv reports that the tournament, organised by the Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria ends on Saturday.

The derby with the theme: ‘Hope Renewed 1st Anniversary Democracy Derby 2nd Edition Under Division System Race’. was organised to commemorate the first year anniversary of President Bola Tinubu.

The breeds of contestants included thorough-bred horses originating from Great Britain And Sudan.

Others are Talon-horses originating from Chad and Naija breed, born, bred and trained in Nigeria.

Similarly, there are the Arewa-Local Arewa Horses from Nigeria and Niger Republic.

There are also trophies and car races to be competed for, in the finals on Saturday.

They trophies are: President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Hope Renewed 1st Year Democracy Cup and the Sen. Uba Sani, Governor’s Cup, and the Sultan’s Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar Horse Amirul Muminin Cup.

They also include Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, Emir of Zazzau’s Cup and Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, Etsu Nupe’s Cup.

Speaking at the event, the Life Patron of the federation, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, said it has worked tirelessly to promote horse racing in the country.

He said, “Today’s event is a testament to our dedication.

“We have witnessed growth, excitement and passion from our participants and spectators alike.

“As we celebrate this anniversary, we also remember those who have supported us along the way.
See also AFCON 2023: Nigeria, S/Africa renew rivalry in semifinal clash

“We pay tribute to the horses and riders who have entertained us with their skills and process.

“Sadly, we so take a moment to mourn those who were involved in an accident on their way to this tournament.”

The royal father also commiserated the families of the deceased, adding that, “but even in the face of adversity, we have strength in our shared passion for horse racing.

“We will continue to work together to ensure the sport’s growth and success”.

The National Coordinator, Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria, Alhaji Mustapha Abubakar-Bida, said the derby was organised to bolster unity across Nigeria and the West African Sub-region.

According to him, there are participants from across Nigeria and other African countries like Niger, Chad and Cameroun, among others.

“This historic event is aimed at reviving horse racing as an age-long event that started in the 1960’s and with Kaduna as its hub, “he said.

The event was graced by the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmad Bamalli, the Emir of Machina in Yobe, Dr Bashir Bukar, the Madakin Zazzau, Alhaji Munnir Ja’afaru and the Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly, Alhaji Yusuf Liman, among others.

To encourage tourism, the Katsina State Government has restated its total commitment to promoting the state’s cultural heritage and traditions.

The Katsina State Commissioner for Information and Culture Bala Zango disclosed this to reporters on Sunday at the sideline of the Season 3 Dambe Warriors Circuit Fight 11 Competition, otherwise known as traditional boxing held at the Katsina Open Air Theatre.

According to him, Katsina is a culture-friendly state, thus assuring the state government’s readiness, to organise inter-local government’s traditional boxing competition.

On his part, the Co-founder of Dambe Warriors Chidi Anyina described Dambe as a new structure of attracting more funding from investors within and outside Nigeria, which he said will, in turn, implate the economy.

He described the power of Dambe entertainment as one that can not be overstated, saying that the narrative can be changed through such sports as the Dambe,

“It’s just a league. In each category, each fighter will fight in different cities starting from Katsina, Niger, Abuja, and Kano among other participating states.

“We have light weight, middle weight and heavy weight categories. The last two will be disqualified and will leave the league and we will recruit new fighters as promotional for a competition. The third group will now fight at the finals to determine the king of Dambe in that category.

“We sign the best fighters and pay them a good fee, monthly salaries, and appearance bonuses. For those that win at the finals, we give them one million naira each and N500,000 for the new fighters.

“This is a new structure of attracting more funding from investment within and outside the country.

“The locals are sleeping on this, we can take it to the international league. This will also impact the economy because the power of entertainment can not be overstated. Narrative can be changed through sports like this,” Anyina added.

Earlier, three rounds of Dambe competition were conducted between Autan Kudawa from Kano State who eventually got 88 points, and Manu Shagon Garkuwar Cindo from Kebbi State who in the end scored 87 points.

During the competition, a Nasarawa fighter Aljanin Bahagon defeated Dan Bahagon Zayyanu after scoring 87 points. His rival scored 86 points.

The Cross River state government has said it was bringing back a rebranded Obudu mountain race which it last hosted in 2014 under the Liyel Imoke-led administration.

The 11.25 km international mountain race, initiated by the then governor Donald Duke in 2005, was suspended by former governor Ben Ayade in 2015 for what he said was for lack of funds and sponsorship.

But briefing Journalists in Calabar, Tuesday, the Commissioner for Culture and tourism, Mr Abubakar Ewa, said the “rebranded, reinvigorated Obudu mountain race will take place this year.”

Ewa said the state government has paid the backlog of allowances of the Obudu Ranch resort staff and that the said staff were later absorbed into the state civil service, with more than N200 million used to settle the matter.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Cross River State Carnival Commission, Mr Austin Cobham, said the state was ready to take the Carnival Calabar to another height, describing the annual event as an asset to Nigeria.

Speaking while releasing the time table of activities lined up for this year’s Carnival Calabar, Cobham said, “we are rejigging, reinventing and restructuring the Carnival at the same time.

“”We are out to return Cross River state as the hub of Nigeria tourism. We are having activities from now till December in our tourism calendar. Some of the programs, like essay competition and African fashion fiesta have sponsors already.”

The Secretary disclosed that Ogoja in the north and Ikom in the central part of the state would also have their separate Carnivals on October 27 and November 24 respectively to give the rural people a sense of belonging.

He said the main Carnival Calabar would be held on December 28, 2024.

The first Dry Run, he noted, would be held on October 20, the second and last Dry Run on November 27 and December 8, 2024, while Cultural Carnival and Junior Carnival would hold on December 26 and 27, 2024 respectively.