{
  "id": 12535571,
  "title": "FEI sets three-year target for Nigeria’s equestrian federation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/fei-sets-three-year-target-for-nigerias-equestrian-federation-12535571",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T03:44:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/fei-sets-three-year-target-for-nigerias-equestrian-federation/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI), the international governing body for equestrian sports, has set a three-year target for Nigeria's equestrian federation to meet the requirements for full membership. This decision comes after a four-day delegation led by Brigitte Mathias from the FEI visited Nigeria to assess the country's structures, facilities, and plans. The FEI delegation toured various locations including Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria, Lagos, and noteworthy sites such as the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Fifth Chukker, Ahmadu Bello University, Lagos Polo Club, GidiUp Horse Riding Academy, and Teslim Balogun Stadium.\n\nMathias, who also serves on the FEI Executive Board, expressed confidence that Nigeria can achieve the set goals within the specified timeframe. She emphasized the importance of regular competitions, which can be grassroots events rather than high-level ones, in demonstrating Nigeria's commitment to the sport. Céline Starbanov, the FEI Project Manager for Solidarity and Development, highlighted that Nigeria is currently in the early stages of development and underlined the need for support in areas such as athlete, coach, and federation structure training, horse welfare, and coaching education.\n\nThe recognition of the Nigeria Equestrian Federation as an Olympic sport federation by the Nigeria Olympic Committee marks a significant milestone in the federation's affiliation process with the FEI. The federation's President, Dr. Anthony Obiorah, welcomed the FEI's feedback as an opportunity to improve and position Nigeria on the world equestrian map. Obiorah expressed a commitment to making equestrian sports more accessible, especially among children from less privileged backgrounds, by creating a pathway from grassroots levels to national representation. The Lagos State Sports Commission also supported the initiative, emphasizing the importance of equestrian sports for young people. The federation now has clear targets to focus on, including competitions, technical capacity development, horse welfare, trained personnel, wider participation, funding, and infrastructure.",
  "summary": "The Fédération Équestre Internationale has given Nigeria’s equestrian federation a three-year target to meet the requirements for full membership. Read More: https://punchng.com/fei-sets-three-year-target-for-nigerias-equestrian-federation/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "FEI sets three-year target for Nigeria’s equestrian federation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/fei-sets-three-year-target-for-nigerias-equestrian-federation",
        "published": "2026-10-07T03:18:39.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}