Team Nigeria has won bronze at the 2024 Chovken World Championship held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Nura Kangiwa, patron of NSK polo team, disclosed this in a statement by Joesef Karim, Media Assistant to Vice President, African Region, International Chovken Federation in Abuja.
Kangiwa, who is also the Chairman, African Region of the International Chovken Federation, said that Nigeria drew 1-1 with Uzbekistan to win bronze on points from previous matches.
“This is the first time Nigeria participated in any global Chovken, an ancient equestrian sport similar to polo.
Team Nigeria’s build-up to the finals, Nigeria beat Germany 5-0; beat Poland 4-1; and lost against Morocco 4-1.”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the World Chovken Championship was held from June 10 to 16, 2024.
NAN reports that Turkey, Malta, Kuwait, Morocco, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Poland, Germany, and Nigeria, including hosts Azerbaijan participated in the championship.
The ancient sport of Chovken is a team sport similar to the more popular polo. It is played by horse riders with sticks competing to hit a small ball into a goal post.
A match consists of two halves, each last for 15 minutes of effective playtime.
The team Nigeria players include Yusuf Bello, Shehu Kangiwa, Mukhtar Adhama and Abdulmalik Badamasi and they were led by Kangiwa.