The world governing body of equestrian sports, the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI), is set to make a four-day working visit to Nigeria. This visit is a crucial step in Nigeria's bid to become a part of the FEI. During their stay, the FEI delegates will assess various aspects of Nigeria's equestrian infrastructure.
The FEI delegates will visit equestrian facilities in the country to evaluate their standards and suitability. They will also review the constitution and structures of the Nigeria Equestrian Federation. Furthermore, the delegates will assess coaching, veterinary services, horse welfare, facilities, competitions, and anti-doping and medication systems.
Dr. Anthony Obiorah, the president of the Nigeria Equestrian Federation, has expressed his excitement about the visit. He described it as a landmark in the Federation's efforts to develop the sport. According to Dr. Obiorah, this visit is part of the final stage of Nigeria's FEI affiliation process.
The visit is crucial for Nigeria's equestrian sport as it aims to integrate into the international system. Dr. Obiorah emphasized that the goal is not just to obtain international affiliation but to ensure that Nigerian equestrian sport meets internationally recognized standards. This includes governance, technical structures, athletes, officials, horse welfare, veterinary systems, and competitions.
Madam Vanessa Asuni, the vice president of the Nigeria Equestrian Federation in charge of Technical and Sports Development, highlighted the importance of the FEI process. She stated that it provides an opportunity for Nigeria to benchmark its current state against international standards. The Federation aims to use this moment to build and strengthen its systems.
In the short term, the priorities for the Nigeria Equestrian Federation are to strengthen its governance and technical structures. The Federation also plans to establish clear certification and development pathways for riders, coaches, grooms, and officials. Improving veterinary and horse-welfare systems and strengthening the national competition calendar are also key objectives.
Recently, the Nigeria Equestrian Federation was recognized by the Nigeria Olympic Committee as an Olympic sport in the country. This recognition, coupled with the upcoming FEI visit, marks significant progress for equestrian sports in Nigeria. The Federation is working diligently to ensure that it meets the required standards for international recognition and participation.
Key points
- The FEI visit will assess Nigeria's equestrian infrastructure, including facilities, coaching, and horse welfare.
- The visit is a crucial step in Nigeria's bid to become a part of the FEI.
- The Nigeria Equestrian Federation aims to strengthen its governance and technical structures in the short term.
