How horse racing sent Yola agog
The Yola Race Course got busy last week with elites and other residents who attended the horse racing competition. The Race Course is an open space of grassland surrounded by the circular horseracing track that is encircled by two white painted concentric wooden fences. On the other section of the open grassland children could be […]
The Yola Race Course got busy last week with elites and other residents who attended the horse racing competition. The Race Course is an open space of grassland surrounded by the circular horseracing track that is encircled by two white painted concentric wooden fences.
On the other section of the open grassland children could be seen playing football just as others tried to improve on their bicycle riding skills, from morning till. The large piece of open territory was surrounded by some of the few untarred roads.
More than 200 riders converged on the new international venue not only to compete, but also to appreciate the beauty of the natural habitation that surround Modire-Chambaji, Yolde Pate,and to share experiences with their horses.
The Yola 2011 Fombina Derby Race competition was organized by the Yola Turf Club in collaboration with sponsors which include airtel with venue at Modire Resort in Yola.
To many, the event was thrilling and scintillating with horses racing officials warning, ‘’ You are about to get your first horse! There are different expectations to your horse. You first need to check all of the legs, to make sure nothing is sprained, pulled or weak. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions about the horse, so there are no surprises!
The significance
The chairman of the organizing committee who is also the Gwangwari Ganye Alh.Umaru Adamu Sanda said that, Horseracing has long been a gentleman’s sport. Much like someone’s car is nowadays, the horse a man rode was indicative of his economic status, his taste, and his personality.
Horse racing has been a favourable past time for men in most parts of northern Nigeria which has over time,turned people into expert horse-men and courageous warriors.
The monarch said that betting on horse races enhanced one’s position as a member of the gentry, ‘’Victory over one’s peers bestowed honor upon the winner,’’ he said.
He recalled that horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. In his words, ‘’Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt.Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC and in the Roman Empire. Chariot and mounted horse racing were major industries.
Thoroughbreds racing was popular with the aristocrats and royalty of British society, earning it the title “Sport of Kings.”
Also corroborating, the deputy chairman Yola Turf Club, Arch. Lawrence Ngbale said that the style of racing, the distances and the type of events vary significantly by the country in which the race is occurring, and many countries offer different types of horse races.
“There are three major types of racing: flat racing, steeple chasing (racing over jumps), and harness racing, where horses trot or pace while pulling a driver in a sulky. A major part of horse racing’s economic importance lies in the gambling associated with it, an activity that in 2008 generated a world-wide market worth around US$115 billion,’’ Ngballe said.
For those who might want to venture into such a profitable venture Ngballe advised that, “You can begin by practising with the Race Training Posts or letting your horse perform the self-interaction Gallop Around. Once you feel comfortable, you can have your horse enter the Race or Cross-Country competitions at any race course.
On the other benefits, the vice chairman said horse racing serves to unite the communities and nations, “hence the need for horse owners to treat the sport with proper care and manage it uniformly”.
Like Dabo Danjuma, another horse owner and winner, Yeriman Adamawa was elated with his victory, which he attributed to regular proper feeding of the horse. ”I will use the money to buy fodder in order to feed it properly,” he said.
While the winner of ‘Fombina Kingdom’’ reiterated the importance of feeding the race horses with nutritious food, preventing diseases and ensuring their physical fitness at all times as factors that contribute to their victory, he however invited horse owners to participate in events of this nature so that the sport could afford them opportunity to compete with their other opponents across the continent.
Six new brand cars, cups alongside various cash awards were presented to winners as their supports and team mangers jubilated.
The crux of the matter
Though the event featured competitions, the crux of the matter was the N250 million of fund raising initiated by the Lamido Adamawa Dr Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa, for the construction of the race course with a view to bringing back the glory of Adamawa kingdom.
The Lamido who is the Grand Patron and also life chairman of Yola Turf Club said it was aimed at restoring and rekindling a past time that ancestors regarded with pride, “horse racing has taken a pride of place in the world, as a noble, royal and prestigious sport,’’ the monarch maintained.
About N50 million naira was realized with the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar stealing the show by generously donating the sum of N 20 million. There was thunderous ovation for the former vice president who was represented by Alh. Jauro Turaki.
Dividends
The horse racing industry has a big role to play in economies. Apart from creating jobs that are directly linked to the industry, horse racing also boosts employment level indirectly.
To commentators, direct jobs provide livelihood to trainers, horse-racers, track-keepers, veterinarians, grooms, saddlers, harness makers and many more. Other than that, the horse racing industry also gives rise to businesses such as restaurants , hotels, grocery stores and feed stores to name a few.