Polo players from across the country at the weekend converged at the Hassan Usman Katsina Polo field in Jos, for the start of a week-long peace tournament. Sponsors and organisers are keenly committed, that the 2017 Jos Annual Polo Tournament will foster socio-economic interactions, as well as help to consolidate on the gains of the hard-won peaceful coexistence already recorded, and is been enjoyed and cherished by residents and visitors alike, in the state.

Our Correspondent gathered that the 2017 Jos Annual Polo Tournament has as its major sponsor, NASCO Group Nigeria. Haroun Harry Audu, marketing communications advisor of the Group stated that “this continuing involvement by NASCO Group in the Jos Annual Polo Tournament is consciously anchored on a corporate commitment to promote peaceful coexistence, through sports-tourism. NASCO played a leading role in 2015, in reviving the game of kings in Jos Plateau State, following a period of lull occasioned by crisis. It is noteworthy that this bold step by NASCO in 2015, signaled the return and consolidation of peace, harmony and communal relationships in Jos, Plateau State”, Audu observed; noting that “polo players, guests and tourists are excited to be in Jos at this time, united by their love for the game, and their attraction to Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria’s foremost home of peace and tourism”.

He added: “NASCO Group, through its Marketing Department has therefore again intervened to strongly and roundly provide targeted sponsorship for the 2017 Jos Annual Polo Tournament” “The overall, substantial branding provisioning has rightly given the NASCO brand, a bold, befitting presence, giving the tournament venue, and associated facilities such as the freshly renovated NASCO Grandstand, a beautiful, welcoming ambience. This is consistent, and further stamps the historical sponsorship leadership role of NASCO Grandstand, a beautiful, welcoming ambience. This is consistent, and further stamps the historical sponsorship leadership role of NASCO in this prestigious annual event, going over forty years now. “This critical, value addition to Jos Polo Club by NASCO, represents a vital part of our ongoing, corporate commitment towards the advancement of sports development and promotion, and for the advancement of recreation, peace, and tourism in Plateau State in particular, and pan Nigeria, Audu” further elaborated.” From feelers gotten, the Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF) has apparently recognized, and deeply commends NASCO’s intervention in this regard. The NPF celebrates it as a remarkable and worthy partnership worthy of emulation by other corporate he further added.

The tournament Secretary Saddiq Danladi Bobby who spoke to our Correspondent said “by the special grace of God, we have succeeded in organizing a peaceful tournament where people have come from all works of life. Players and visitors to the 2017 event in Jos cut across ethnic and religious groups. We are impressed by the turnout as several teams and polo clubs are here and they know first-hand, that indeed, relative peace has returned to this state” Our Correspondent reports that so far, about sixteen Polo clubs are participating in the 2017 NASCO Jos Annual Polo Tournament. They include Bauchi MA Club, Jos Malcomines, Yola Fombina, Jos Jengre Petroleum, Minna Profile, Bauchi MA, Kano Bichi, Jos Green Cube, Yola Yelwa, Bauchi Fine Aluminium, Bauchi Mazaha, Zaria West Stream, Jos AB Galla, Jos Naraguta Leather,, Jos AA Aruwa, and Jos Control Chambers, amongst other clubs.

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NASCO polo tournament further unites 54 tribes in Plateau