Riding High: AUN’s All-Women Polo Team Makes History, Defying Tradition in Northern Nigeria

It’s another sunbaked afternoon at the AUN Polo Field, and the graceful poise of the female riders—like a slow-motion ballet on horseback—suddenly turns into a rowdy clatter of charging hooves. Golden dust rises in a misty haze, mixing with the loud cheers and cries of encouragement from the mostly-student crowd. This is the roar of […]

It’s another sunbaked afternoon at the AUN Polo Field, and the graceful poise of the female riders—like a slow-motion ballet on horseback—suddenly turns into a rowdy clatter of charging hooves. Golden dust rises in a misty haze, mixing with the loud cheers and cries of encouragement from the mostly-student crowd. This is the roar of the Chukkers: a fast-paced, adroit, and adrenaline-pumped display where precision and strength collide to create an awe-inspiring and exciting spectacle. Polo at the American University of Nigeria retains all the trappings of an elite sport, but one working hard to win new converts across generations and cultural divides.

And there is a much bigger picture. Polo at AUN is more than just a game of mallets and ponies. Enter the AUN Pink Polo Team, an all-female squad. Theirs is a celebration of strength, creativity, and the growing role of women in a sport that has been mostly men for a long time. Each rider is a mix of grace and toughness. She guides her horse with quiet skill and isn’t afraid to take every chance that comes her way. They are both a promise and a statement that the future of polo will be open, exciting, and ready to try new things.

“Polo is much more than an entertaining sport; it is a lifestyle, a community,” says Hadiza Shehu Malumfashi, a 4th-year law student and easily one of the more recognizable members of the AUN Pink Polo Team. Her teammates, Fatima Zarah Yusuf and Niimah Abdulkadir, agree. Fatimah Zarah, a 2nd-year law student, cannot imagine any other sport rivalling polo in intensity and pride. The shyer Niimah, a 2nd-year business and entrepreneurship student, takes it even further. “There is fun in danger.”
The crowd feels it too. Every gasp, every cheer, every eruption of applause carries the weight of history being made. They are students – young and adventurous – the energy levels are octane-high. As the ball rockets across the dusty turf and riders weave through the chaos with astonishing agility, the atmosphere transforms into something electric. This is more than a game; it is a living narrative of courage, skill, and triumph, unfolding under the sunny skies of the AUN campus. The boys pump fists in the air; the girls wave enthusiastically. Cheering with other students are the president of the university, Professor DeWayne Frazier, and the dean of students, Engineer Sesugh Annger – cheerleaders and support-cast, all in one
Polo, traditionally regarded as the “Sport of Kings,” has often represented exclusivity and a history of male domination. The AUN Pink Polo Team, arguably Nigeria’s first all-female student polo team, is making a big difference on the campus of the American University in Yola. Many believe it is Nigeria’s first all-female polo team. This Sisters Club, which came from the desire of a small group of vivacious students, may unwittingly be transforming the way gender roles are framed in the sport. The AUN Pink Polo team is proof that being good at polo or any other sport that is traditionally male-dominated is a question of determination, not gender. Their story underscores months and years of hard work, savviness, and the strong bonds of friendship formed along the way, all while balancing the demands of academic rigor as is required at AUN. As these young women make their mark in a sport that has always been male-dominated, keen watchers are pointing to a paradigm shift.
In Nigeria, polo as a sport follows a well-beaten path of colonial ancestry, increasingly emerging to embrace cultural fusion, political power, and social and business networks. Polo was introduced to Nigeria in the early 1900s by British military officers and colonial administrators looking for distraction away from the drudgery of colonial plundering. While cricket and rugby—the other colonial sports—failed to survive a few exhibitions in elite schools and clubs, polo became indigenized, galloping into a vibrant cultural spectacle that mirrors the nation’s own complex history.
Northern Nigeria is blessed with wide open plains and a long history of horseback riding especially at durbahs, which made the region the perfect place for polo to grow. In the 1920s, the first polo events started around Kano, where ponies were available to locals. But the first organized polo competitions started in the emerging administrative capitals of Kaduna in the north and Lagos in the south. These cities brought together colonial elites, high-ranking military officers, and early business leaders to create the game’s social and administrative foundations.

After independence and later military rule, the military became the surprising force behind the spread of polo to new places. Many officers, most of whom were from the north and had been exposed to horse-racing and polo, were posted to other parts of the country. They brought the game along with their friends and associates. This made it possible for clubs to officially form and grow in Ibadan, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Jos, and other Nigerian cities. With long years in power, the military elite gave polo visibility, stability, support, and a network that made it a part of the country’s sporting and social culture.

Polo is more than just a sport here in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State. It is an important part of the culture. Polo in Yola is a big part of the Adamawa Emirate’s equestrian culture. It has changed from a traditional way of riding horses to a modern sport and social event. Polo is a very important sport thanks to the Lamido of Adamawa and the Founder of AUN, HE Atiku Abubakar, Waziri Adamawa. The Annual Yola Polo Tournament brings together the polo elite from far and wide and has emerged a constant in the city’s sporting calendar. It is also a great example of how different cultures can come together for royal ceremonies, competitive play, and socializing. The AUN President’s Cup is one of the major highlights of the annual Yola Polo tournament.

The Pink Polo Team has carved out an identity within the AUN Titans Club, dominated by men. It focuses on friendship, empowerment, and good sportsmanship among its members. The members of this team all love polo, which brings them together. They wear stylish pink uniforms that set them apart and show their strength and sense of community.
In addition to their sporting interests, the Pink Polo Team participates in numerous initiatives aimed at raising awareness and offering support for various important causes. This commitment to social responsibility reflects their desire to make a positive impact beyond the polo field. The team not only highlights their achievements in the sport but also celebrates the robust relationships that bind them together as women in sports and as an engaged community.
The AUN Pink Polo Team currently boasts twelve highly motivated players committed to creating an environment where women can lead and compete. Even their choice of a name reflects this ambition.
“The name Pink Polo Team was inspired by October, the month dedicated to breast cancer awareness worldwide,” Hadiza explains. “Each year, our polo club joins the cause by celebrating and raising funds for breast cancer awareness. On that day, everyone wears pink to show solidarity. That tradition gave rise to the name—symbolizing both our commitment to the cause and, of course, our love for pink as girls.” There was a gradual transition, though, as captured by Hadiza. “From the beginning, we already had female members in the polo club. At first, we played alongside the men in mixed teams. But as our numbers grew, we reached the point where we could confidently say, “Let’s organize ourselves and play on our own.”
“That was until we figured out that we’re more than the guys, actually,” Niimah quipped, almost apologizing. That is true, though. At AUN, female polo players outnumber their male counterparts, and they capitalized on their numerical strength to create a unique identity.
Beyond polo, female leadership and achievement are recurring themes at the American University of Nigeria (AUN). Women now outnumber men in the student population, a trend so strong that management recently converted a male hostel to accommodate the growing number of female students.
President Professor DeWayne Frazier attributes this to AUN’s deliberately supportive environment for women—one that strictly enforces rules against sexual harassment, bullying, stalking, and cultism. Parents trust AUN because they know their daughters will grow into ethically grounded leaders, academically outstanding scholars, and ambitious entrepreneurs. This confidence is reflected in the fact that female students have consistently dominated academic prizes in recent years.
So, the coming of an all-female polo team isn’t just a symbolic gesture; it’s a strong reflection of the university’s brand. It points to AUN’s dedication to liberal values, such as respecting people and cultures, celebrating diversity, being open to different points of view, and being in line with global ideals.
It was Zarah’s love for polo—and AUN’s growing reputation as a female friendly institution—that drew her to the University. What Hadiza did not know was that Zarah had long admired her as a role model in the sport. The two had known each other even before arriving at AUN.
“I don’t know if Hadiza remembers,” Zarah said shyly, her admiration evident. “A few years ago, she was in Ghana playing polo. I was finishing school then, and I thought I might want to go to Ghana too because Hadiza was there and it looked really exciting. I asked her about it—how Ghana was, what she was studying—and I also asked her about AUN. Honestly, that was part of the reason I chose AUN.”
Hadiza, smiling at the memory, recalled, “I met Zarah back in secondary school. She rides from her father’s stable—he’s a patron who owns many horses and is a professional polo player himself. That’s how I first got to know her at the polo club.”
For the young women of AUN’s Pink Polo team, balancing academic rigor with their passion for polo has been a defining challenge.
Fatima explained, “While in school it’s about, let’s say, 80% academics for sure. I get to play my heart out when I’m in Abuja, so I stay focused on my academics here at AUN. In Yola, I’m comfortable playing with amateurs, but in Abuja I play with pros at the equestrian club.”
Zarah shared her experiences of facing stereotypes and criticism: “I’ll give two real-life stories—one from England and one from secondary school. In England, after a polo event, some guys said, ‘I don’t think I can ever marry a girl who rides horses.’ I was shocked. I thought, you’re riding as a guy, and I’m riding as a girl—why criticize me? That’s why we have Pink Polo, a safe haven for girls, so stereotypes don’t weigh us down.
Back in secondary school, my friends used to tease me: ‘You ride too much. You’re a girl; you shouldn’t be riding. People won’t see you as the right kind of girl.’ But I told myself, I don’t care. If you know me, you know I still have my class. Just because I ride doesn’t mean I’m classless. I’m a happening babe—and more.”
She reflected on how perceptions have changed over time: “My mom was hesitant at first. My dad, being a polo player, was always supportive, so she didn’t have much say. Over time, she got used to it. This semester she even called me, saying she likes that I’ve found something positive, though she warns me not to let polo consume me completely. We had arguments, but now she can’t wait to see me on the field. She just doesn’t want it to change who I am.”
The girls recognize that passion and persistence have swayed many doubters. Families who once discouraged them now cheer from the sidelines. Fatima’s parents, once uncomfortable with her sneaking off to train, are now her biggest fans. Zarah’s mother, once skeptical, now embraces her daughter’s success.
Zarah said, “People may doubt you at first, but when they see your passion and success, they change.” That’s why we ride—for ourselves, for our dreams, and for everyone who once said we couldn’t.”
These young women have become exceptionally adept at balancing the demands of hard academics with the intensity of polo. Their persistence in the classroom and on the field reflects the very essence of AUN’s mission—to nurture resilient leaders who excel intellectually while pursuing their passions fearlessly.

These brave girls epitomize the strong spirit of female empowerment at AUN by overpowering doubt, breaking down stereotypes, and winning over people who don’t believe in them.
Their journey resonates far beyond sport; it’s a show of bravery, discipline, and learning. With every step and every swing of the mallet, they remind us that the future belongs to those who are brave enough to balance passion with excellence.
For these pioneer members of the Pink Polo Club at the American University of Nigeria, polo is more than just a game; it’s a way to show strength, ambition, and a vision for the future.

As Nigeria’s first all-female university polo team, they have been inspired by role models, are determined to break down barriers, and know exactly where they want to be in ten years.
Each of the girls gets their love for polo from someone who has inspired them. Zarah’s father is the person who has had the most impact on her. “For me, my dad, for sure. I would say Hadiza is a good female role model for me, not because of anything else, but because I like her journey. No one could bring her down. She is where she is today because of her passion. “That dedication has always been a high for me,” she said.
Fatima looks outward to the global polo stage for heroines. “Her name is Mia Cambiaso; she’s a plus 10 female polo player from a family full of polo players. They breed some of the best horses in the world and have even gone as far as genetic modification—it’s amazing. I also look up to Lia Salvo (+4), Fatima Balzano (+6), and Hope Arellano (+10). I also played with Emma Sanderson, an Argentinian player, and I admire Maitha Al-Maktoum (+4), the apprentice from the UAE Dubai,” she said with admiration. Fatima herself is already making strides, proudly noting, “I’m a plus one mixed female pro player.”
Ni’ima, quieter in her reflections, finds her role models through observation. “Just watching and observing,” she said, emphasizing how learning from others’ styles and discipline fuels her growth.
The Pink Polo Club is not just another team—it is the first established female polo team in Nigeria. Fatima explained, “There are lots of female polo players, but they usually join the men and play together. There was no established female team before us. We are the first, actually the first female polo team ever in Nigeria. Others just come together for tournaments, but this is the first real team. That’s crazy.”
Their achievements are already tangible. Fatima proudly recalled, “We won the Pink Polo tournament this year.” Ni’ima added that the club itself was only established this semester, making their victory even more remarkable.

Looking ahead, the girls are clear about their ambitions. Zarah believes the school should invest in their training and development. “Yes, the school should take us for training,” she insisted. Ni’ima echoed her enthusiasm: “Yes, yes.” Fatima added that institutional support is critical: “We need the school to cover our licenses. America has exchange programs for polo players, and we should be part of that.”
In five to ten years, they see themselves not just as players but as trailblazers—women who have carved out space in a sport long dominated by men and who inspire others to follow.

Beyond competition, polo has taught them discipline and life skills. Fatima reflected deeply: “The horse is the most important component of the sport—more important than us. Horses are 80% of the game. No matter how good you are, if you play on bad horses, you play a bad game. That’s just fact.”
She also emphasized punctuality as a critical lesson: “If they say the ball rolls at 11:30, it starts at 11:30. You should be on the field ten minutes before, ready thirty minutes before, and your horses ready an hour before. Timing is strict because each minute counts for the horses. That discipline has shaped me—it’s punctuality for me.”

Perhaps the most memorable part of their journey so far has been the overwhelming support from the AUN community. Fatima recalled, “The support from the school and students has been unexpected. The bus had to come back three times to pick people up. Some came with cars, others with cabs. Even the president, staff, and instructors attended our games. It’s amazing—the camaraderie, the sisterhood. It’s so beautiful.”