Entertainment
Nigerian engineering student, lectures Chinese how to play polo – Report
China was a polo desert for Nigerian Ahmed Tukur, who has been an avid player since childhood.
For three years, the 23-year-old, studying civil engineering in Shenyang, was unable to play the sport he grew up with, according to Sahara Reporters.
That was until he stumbled on a YouTube video posted by Hong Kong lawyer Andrew Leung – founder of the year-old Hong Kong Beginners Cup.
Tukur has since been installed as one of the team captains for the 2019 edition at the Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club, where he will act as a guide for a team of largely novice players in a tournament designed to introduce Hongkongers to the sport.
Nigeria is known around the world as an exporter of world-class football players and few outside the country would link it with polo, South China Morning Post reports.
Tukur, however, insists it is one of the most popular sports in Nigeria, especially in the northern areas.
“I’ve been playing polo since I was eight back home in Nigeria,” said Tukur, who grew up in Kaduna in the country’s northwest. “I came to China three years ago and had not played polo since arriving.
“I have been trying to connect with anyone in China who plays the game and that’s when I saw Andrew’s video on YouTube.
“I noticed that people in China do not really know much about polo and I am hoping to use polo as a way to build bridges between our country and China.
“There is a huge polo community in Nigeria. My family are into horses and horse racing and I want to share this love with the people of China.”
The Beginners Cup was launched in October last year with Leung taking a small group of rookies, some who had never been on a horse before, and turning them into competent riders and polo players within nine
months.
Buoyed by his initial success, Leung hopes the Beginners Cup can establish itself on the regional calendar and help to develop the sport in Hong Kong and the mainland.
Leung has played the game since childhood but, like many, had little clue about polo’s popularity in Nigeria.
“I met Ahmed through my YouTube channel that is dedicated to the development of Hong Kong polo,” said Leung. “He contacted me because he saw the promotional video for the inaugural Hong Kong Beginners Cup of 2018.
“I learned that Ahmed, like me, had played polo since he was a boy and that he was an experienced player – despite only being in his early 20s. I was pleasantly surprised that he was from Nigeria as I did not know at the time that polo was so popular there.
“He is helping me support, train and inspire other beginners from Hong Kong and China. I am proud that the sport of polo can unite us and help Hong Kong and Chinese people build bridges with people of different races and religions.”
Tukur said being an African in an Asian country makes him stand out and he hoped that would be an advantage when it comes to promoting polo in the mainland and Hong Kong.
“There is always a stereotype about Africans and Asians,” said Tukur. “I want to build more awareness about the sport and show the Chinese people that they can also play and bring them into the polo world.
“Not many of them have seen a black or coloured person playing this sport and this may pique their interest. I really like them to delve deeper into the sport and see what it is all about and build bridges.”
Spotify today announced the launch of its ‘Detty December’ hub with playlists for December, a celebration of the vibrant festive season in West Africa and South Africa. The hub is a one-stop shop for all things Detty December, with curated playlists featuring the biggest hits and emerging sounds of the season. Users can find everything from Afrobeats and Amapiano anthems to chilled-out vibes for those much-needed recovery days.
“Detty December is a special time for our users in West Africa and ke Dezemba symbolises South Africa’s spirit of celebration,” said Phiona Okumu, Head of Music at Spotify Sub-Saharan Africa. “We’re excited to be part of their celebrations with this dedicated hub and playlists, bringing them the best music to soundtrack their festive moments.”
This unapologetic season of street jams, back-to-back concerts, and endless summer fun has developed its own culture that draws diaspora and local fans alike. The curated sounds of Spotify’s Detty December hub will pay homage to the Lagos rooftop lounges, Accra’s beachside festivals, and South Africa’s township tunes that keep people grooving.
In addition to the hub, Spotify has also launched a new playlist called ‘Songs of Detty December’. This playlist is a curated list from Spotify Africa’s editors on the songs predicted to dominate this year’s Detty December. From DJ Skelm’s Afro Tech sounds to Flytime Fest’s tour of songs that tell Africa’s aspirational stories, the hub will be the home of takeover playlists that display Africa’s diverse talent. Barrier-breaking Amapiano talent Kamo_ww has taken over a South African Summer playlist too.
Spotify is also supporting Jerk x Jollof, a popular event making its way to Africa for the first time, through its Frequency program. Held at The Ostrich event space, the Jerk x Jollof Cape Town takeover will feature DJs and artists such as TxC, DBN Gogo, Spinall, Sarz and Odeal, merging the spirit of Detty December and ke Dezemba experiences and bringing South and West African cultures and artists together.
“We’re committed to supporting African music and culture,” said Okumu. “We believe that music is a powerful way to bring people together, and we’re excited to be part of the Detty December celebrations.”
You can keep the good vibes going as you make your way to the hotel, beach or next Detty December party with Spotify’s curated and immersive sound selection. Discover something new or run the year’s best party anthems back on your app today.
The ‘Detty December’ hub is available now on Spotify.
Forty years after the release of the original JESUS film, Jesus Film Project is releasing an updated edition of founder Paul Eshleman’s book, I Just Saw Jesus.
The new edition features a heartfelt foreword written by Eshleman’s daughter, Jenn Huff, as well as refreshed cover art. The book was officially released in October 2024.
Originally published in 1985, I Just Saw Jesus chronicles Eshleman’s journey to create the JESUS film, the most translated and viewed film in history. Translated into more than 2,100 languages and counting, the film has been a significant resource in spreading the gospel to millions across the globe.
The release of this updated edition comes at a critical juncture as Jesus Film Project reimagines the 1979 film for today’s generation.
In her foreword to the new edition of I Just Saw Jesus, Huff reflects on her father’s vision and passion for the project. She writes, ”The JESUS film, meticulously crafted to depict the life of Jesus with unprecedented accuracy, stood as a beacon of attention to detail. Behind the scenes, my father’s equally meticulous storytelling mirrored the attention that was paid to every aspect of the film’s creation.” She added, “I Just Saw Jesus is not just a book; it is a testament to the miraculous change Jesus makes in people’s lives.”
Paul Eshleman’s work on the JESUS film was inspired by the mission to share the gospel message in every corner of the world.I Just Saw Jesus tells the stories of the faithful volunteer film teams, missionaries and pastors who ventured into remote tribes to show the JESUS film. They carried generators and projectors across jungles, stood before influential leaders, and overcame threats, curses and deadly diseases – all to share the story of Jesus in the heart language of those who might not otherwise hear the gospel.
This new edition of I Just Saw Jesus is a tribute to Paul Eshleman’s legacy. It marks a new chapter in the ongoing mission to innovate and reach people with today’s tools, ensuring that the gospel remains accessible to new generations.
Purchase I Just Saw Jesus on Amazon or the Cru store, and join the ongoing conversation about how media can inspire the next generation.
Gather25, a trailblazing global gathering of Christians founded by Jennie Allen, has unveiled the first of its contributors for the upcoming event in 2025.
Featuring a multi-denominational, international line up of Christian teachers, storytellers and prayer guides from six continents, Gather25 aims to showcase powerful stories of how God is transforming communities and hearts around the world.
The event, with a schedule that will circumnavigate the globe over 25 hours, celebrates a line-up of individuals who bring a unique perspective of how God is moving in their context.
Together, they are partnering with Gather25’s mission to mobilize Christians everywhere to reach the 5.5 billion people on earth who have yet to encounter Jesus.
Through live-streaming technology and AI, Gather25 will connect with Christians in homes, in churches, in stadiums, or on their phones, across six continents, with each continent hosting a portion of the 25 hours.
The teachers, storytellers, and prayer guides include:
● Jennie Allen – Founder & Visionary of Gather25, Bible teacher, author, the visionary behind IF:Gathering.
● Pastor Charles Mugisha – Founder and President of Africa New Life Ministries.
● Matt Maher – Gospel artist and songwriter, known for favorites like “Lord, I Need You.”
● Mark Varughese – Founder and Senior Leader of Kingdomcity.
● Matt Redman – Double GRAMMY®-Award winning worship leader and songwriter.
● Priscilla Shirer – A New York Times Best-Selling author and actress featuring in movies like War Room.
● Sinach – Gospel artist and songwriter, known for favorites like “Way Maker.”
● Tasha Cobbs Leonard – GRAMMY® Award-winning singer/songwriter.
● Rorisang Thandekiso – A multi-talented media personality and musician, and the founder of “Jesus This Jesus That.”
● Rick Warren – Author of The Purpose Driven Life, his books have been translated into 200 languages.
Gather25 is a global collaboration of Christians who are instrumental in connecting the global church from the ground up. Pastor Charles Mugisha said, “Gather25 gives, for the first time in history, Africa a voice to share the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ more than ever before.”
“I have a feeling in my heart that (Gather25) is a God thing. The Bible commissions us to go and take the Gospel to all nations and for the first time, I see that we can actually take the Gospel to all the nations in 25 hours. That’s exciting for me!”
The event will kick off in the United States at 01:00 UTC on Saturday, 1st March 2025, and will journey around the globe, concluding in Peru at 02:00 UTC on Sunday, 2nd March 2025. This continuous broadcast is designed to empower Christians worldwide through inspiring stories and testimonies of God’s work across nations. Each session will be hosted from a different country, featuring teaching, worship, stories and prayers from various locations within each session. The event will also unveil never-before-heard accounts from the underground church.
Join us for this global event to connect with believers from every corner of the world. Find out about Gather25, and sign up for more resources at: gather25.com
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