Two new comers to the prestigious Niger Delta’2012 Polo festival, the Nigerian Police and the Nigerian Navy polo teams were letting the spark flying in every direction with their impressive showings at prestigious polo extravaganza that saw Kaduna Profile emerged the overall champions.
The IGP Police Strikers who stormed Port Harcourt, the River State capital city with a winning run that dates back to last November, gave the teeming polo buffs plenty to cheer as they added the T.Y Danjuma Cup to their title haul.
The men in white, the Nigerian Navy team who were playing their first ever Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF) sanctioned tournament, left everyone asking why they waited this long to join the glamorous party with their all attacking formation that won them fans in droves.
Led by their chairman and Captain, Chief Superintendent of Police, Aliyu Abubakar, the IGP Strikers made mince meat of Minna Jamilla Villa Farms, turning back the Niger State flag bearers, with a 8-0 spanking in their opening game decided at the serene Port Harcourt Polo Club ground.
The Strikers secured another big win, beating Katsina Dan Masani team, to book a final ticket in the hotly contested T.Y Danjuma cup race that attracted a record 14 teams this year.
The Naval Boys led by their foreign import, Udeme Etim had earlier came from behind to hold their more experience Katsina opponents, 3-3 in an explosive opening game that keep the crowd on its feet from start to finish.
Parading the likes of Commander S. Ibrahim, Abdulmalik Badamasi, P/C Nda Bala and the Akwa-Ibom born Udeme, the participation of the Naval team added to the growing popularity of the Niger Delta polo festival.
An elated Port Harcourt Polo Club President, Shehu Bob-Manuel who cheered the Naval boys throughout their campaign, predicted that if the naval squad keep their forms, they would become one of the greatest Nigerian polo teams in no distance future.
“There were plenty of doubts from the cheeky minds that the Naval Boys would not be able to cope with the competition, but after their blistering opener against Katsina, their confidence and popularity is growing by the day.” Bob Manuel who leads Port Harcourt Total in their quest for the President Cup declared.
Navy play maker, Udeme who hailed his teammates for their dedication and determination, stating that the Nigerian Navy polo team has come to stay as far as the king of games is concern. “Let me join my teammates in thanking the NPF for giving the Navy chance to be part of this prestigious festival, and also acknowledge the superb support we got from the teeming polo enthusiasts who are always there for us throughout our games.”
Another team that distinguished itself during the only regional polo event on the annual calendar of the glamorous NPF Tour, is the Shuaibu Zakari powered Kaduna Safaz Shelters who finished Runners-up in the President Cup, to add to their NAHCO Cup victory in Kaduna last November.
Their quest to win the medium-goal cup title in Port Harcourt on first attempt like they did in Katsina and Yola last year, faced tough opposition as other ambitious and more experienced teams who like the Abubakar Kari powered Bauchi Linkage, Tony Isodje captained Port Harcourt Crushed Rock and Bob-Manuel’s Total teams. Bauchi eventually won the President Cup.
The battle for the low-goal Governor’s Cup that attracted six teams was won by Mohammed Baba led Yola Yelwa boosting the top flying Asharaf Yahaya and Zaria Kuyambana.
Event biggest prize, the General Hassan Katsina Cup that pitted two arch rivals, was won by Mohammed Babangida’s Kaduna Profile. They defeated Senator Hadi Sirika’s Rubicon in the final.
Traditionally hosted by the Port Harcourt Polo Club, with the backing of the Rivers State Executive Governor, Right Honourable Rotimi Amaechi, the prestigious weeklong festival remains the biggest polo event in the oil rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
“This is an exciting time for polo with Niger Delta’2012 festival, and the Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF) sharing a vision of a truly world class event to delight existing fans from across the country, attract new supporters and leave a lasting legacy for the sport in Nigeria and throughout the world,” Governor Amaechi had declared.
As a Grade A NPF event, the biggest attraction of the Niger Delta Festival lies in its regional appeal, which for years has been the pride of Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers and host Rivers states.
The fact that polo enthusiasts from Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and neighbouring Imo and Abia states attend this festival annually in their thousands; attest to the immense tourism and social values of the exciting game of polo in the South South geopolitical zone.
The event enjoys the advantage of being held during the New Year festive period and such a unique timing has serve to draw majority of polo players to make the tournament a sure destination.
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