Yari Sport Initiative team meets Ahmad Yari ahead of the launch

Members of the Yari Sport Initiative team paid a visit to Patron Ahmad Abdulaziz Yari at his Abuja office on 6 September 2026, with preparations for the initiative's launch and a horse-racing competition in Kano at the centre of their discussion.

The team and Ahmad discussed the upcoming YSI launch and the competition scheduled for 26 and 27 September. The engagement brought the initiative's organisers together with its Patron ahead of those activities.

Preparing for the launch

The Abuja meeting concerned the next stage of YSI's activities. Its launch and the Kano horse-racing competition provided a concrete focus for the team's conversation with Ahmad.

The visit gave the team an opportunity to engage its Patron in person. Their discussion connected the upcoming events with the wider sporting purpose of YSI: bringing young people together and creating opportunities for participation and talent discovery.

Horse racing within the YSI programme

Horse racing is one of the initiative's early event areas, alongside a football tournament. The Kano competition formed part of the programme discussed at the office meeting.

YSI's interests extend beyond a single sport. Ahmad has set out a vision that includes discovering talented athletes, connecting them with coaching and training, and developing sports centres where young people can train properly.

The Patron's role

Ahmad serves as Patron of Yari Sport Initiative, with Senator Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari as Grand Patron. The September delegation visited him in that sporting capacity.

YSI has its own team and programme. Its connection to Ahmad is distinct from the charitable work of Ahmad Abdulaziz Yari Foundation and from his responsibilities in the City Boy Movement and Yari Messengers.

Looking ahead to Kano

The meeting placed the launch and the 26 and 27 September horse-racing competition within the team's immediate preparations. Ahmad later arrived in Kano for Yari Sport Initiative, continuing the engagement that had brought the team to his Abuja office.

Read about Ahmad's arrival in Kano and the wider YSI vision.