Top Photos of Yola'2012 Polo Festival. Pix1: Max Air showcasing their Gov. Cup prize. Pix 2: Lamido Adamawa, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Muhammedu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa presenting the AUN Cup. Pix 3: Port Harcourt Daddo lining out before their game.

Lamido Adamawa, Katsina Highlight Yola’2012 Polo Festival

When the Lamido Adamawa, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Muhammedu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa opened and subsequently closed the 2012 edition of the prestigious MTN/Yola international polo festival last weekend, his total commitment and active presence echoed an unmistakable message: Yola will remain the permanent home for one of the continent's biggest corporate polo event.

For eight exciting days, the ever effervescent city crowd mingled with an impressive international cast at the Lamido Aliyu Musdafa Polo Ground venue to witness yet another scintillating display of top class polo by the cream of Nigeria’s most enterprising polo players.

The MTN/Yola polo fiesta which is organized under the auspice of the Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF) is the latest most significant addition to the growing international polo calendar under the sponsorship bouquet of the biggest communication network in Nigeria.

It is the most prestigious corporate polo championship in Nigeria as well as the most exciting team events that included Katsina, Bauchi, Minna, Zaria, Abuja, Kano and Lagos international fiestas.

Over twenty teams drawn from far flung cities like Port Harcourt, Katsina, Abuja, Minna, Kaduna, Bauchi, Zaria and host Yola that paraded four teams in the glamorous festival, participated in the MTN powered fiesta.

At the end of what will remain the most contested Yola polo tournament in years, it was the Katsina contingent that dominated the showdown, carting home three of the four major prizes at stake in Yola.  

Urged on by a teeming crowd, that included Adamawa State Deputy Governor, Barrister James Bala, Emirs from neighouring emirates, delegations from Cameroun, Chad and Central African Republics, Katsina Max Air displayed awesome skills edging the hard fighting Abuja Rubicon to clinch the event’s biggest crown, the Governor’s Cup.

To clinch the coveted title, the quartet of Lawal Mangal, Ado Madawaki, Muhammdu Seriki and their chief predator, Bello Buba defeated their arch rivals and defending champions, Abuja Rubicon 5-4 in a tense final to win their first Governor’s Cup title.

A well deserved victory that help extend their invincibility in MTN powered polo tournaments this year, after winning in Zaria and in front of their home crowd in Katsina last month.

Rubicon’s patron, Senator Hadi Sirika and the trio of Malik Badamasi, Idris Badamasi and Jamilu Mohammed who were eyeing a back-to- back victory in Yola had fancied their chances for the crown, but the closely knitted Max Airliners chemistry was too hard to break.

That Max Air’s inspiring victory provided the needed boost for other Katsina teams who ran riot winning throughout the international festival, harvesting the highly revered Lamido Cup and the glittering Intels Cup in commanding performance that will buzz the Nigerian polo fraternity for along time.

 The only major prize that slips through the hands of the Katsina boys was the Admiral Nyako Cup where Kaduna Malali out paced home lads, American University Hotel team of Yola in a grudged final to cart home.

Tango Ayuba’s led Port Harcourt Daddo came close to registering the upset in the crowded Intels Cup showdown, but the Ibrahim Mohammed pivoted Katsina IT Sec would have none of it. Bello Buba was in his best, leading Katsina Pers Oil to their first ever Lamido Cup victory.

One of the biggest highlights of the prestigious event was the impressive outing of the MTN team who upstaged the highly rated Rest team by the MTN polo squad, to win the debuting American University of Nigeria Cup.

Parading Ahmadu Balaho, Ado Madawaki, Bello Buba and Muhammdau Seriki, the MTN warriors showed very little respect to the ambitious Rest Team, defeating them 31/2-1 in a hotly contested final game that preceded the colourful closing ceremony of the memorable MTN/Yola’2012 high profile fiesta.

Pictorial Highlights of Kano’2012 Polo: Pix 1: Tajudeen Dantata of Kano Titan in full throttle the last chukka of their Dantata Cup opener against Kano YY during the MTN Kano’2012 international polo tournament. Pix 2: Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (C) in his Danmajen Kano traditional title robes with Kano Polo Chairman Bashir Dantata (r) and Prince Bayero pose with the winners of the Muhammadu Sanusi Cup at the MTN’2012 polo fiesta in Kano.

Titan Sparks Kano Dominance of MTN/Kano‘2012 Polo Festival

The decisive golden goal sail through the post and Kano Titan patron and captain Kano polo Tajudeen Dantata closed his eyes and looked skyward as he celebrate another important victory. Tajudeen has played an inspiring role in all his Titan’s victory memories, and this one was no different.

''Attacking polo has been our hallmark that has fetched us great victories over the years,'' Dantata said, his eyes watering with joy. ''I think the boys understood that believing was the most important thing, and I think they did.''

Wearing the trademark red and blue jersey with the silhouette symbol of their beloved Titan on their left sleeve, the Kano polo kings won the Emir of Kano Cup in a stunning comeback that would dominate media headlines for long.

The much waited MTN International Polo Tournament that took the ancient city of Kano by storm has come and gone, but the enduring legacies of the historic fiesta would remain for long in the mind of thousands who witnessed the grand event and the millions who followed it on the media.

Kano Polo Chairman, Bashir Dantata who had participated in every Kano tournament since 1978 till date, picked the titanic cup final that went straight to the wire as one of the biggest highlights of the grand event that would linger for years to come.

The Kano polo boss who participated in the fiesta alongside three of his sons, Bashir, Abba and Baba described the sensational victory as an apt momentous highlight that truly celebrated the depth of Kano polo and the promise of what the future holds for the club and the game.

One such winner that took off from where they left off two years ago, are the Kano polo reigning kings, Titan (1) who took their attacking polo style record to a new height, winning their first Emir of Kano title since the royal crown was elevated to be the biggest prize at stake in Kano two years ago.

To win the Emir of Kano Cup, Tajudeen and his Titan warriors relied on the spectacular forms of  their South African import,  Duncan Watson who scored the  million Dollar goal against Lagos Machines in the nerve wrecking sudden death chukka to give the champions their hard earned victory.

Pitched against the hard fighting Lagos Machines that boosted the likes of Lance Watson, Bashir Dantata (jnr.), Ahamdu Umar and Ali Birjawi, Titans who had earlier lost their opening game to the Lagosians, fought the battle of their lives, forcing the game to the cliff hanging sudden death with final scores at 6-6.

 The resultant tension soaked sudden death chukka pumped more adrenaline with Titans losing a thirty yarder and Machine throwing a golden chance with just two minutes left on the cloak.

The winning goal that separated the two came in the last gasps attack by Titan, with Watson lashing on a poor pass to score the seventh and the all important golden goal in the last minute of the nerve wrecking final.

Embolden by Titan’s victory, host Kano polo club added two major titles in a commanding performance that highlighted the improved competitive prowess of Kano teams. Returnee Kano Rima powered by Hassan Ghamal defeated a strong field of five teams to win the Dangote Cup, while

Kano YY out paced Titans (2) to win their first Dantata Cup title. The last of the four major titles, went to the top firing Lagos Agad who defeated a record thirteen other teams to cart home the coveted MRS Cup.

Ibadan Club that fielded two teams in the Kano firestorm this year, could only managed MRS Cup runners-up finish after Ibadan Challenge succumbed to the fire power of Lagos Agad in the final.

Other glittering prizes carted home the winners include the Muhammadu Sanusi Cup, Governor’s Cup, General Hassan Cup,  General Abacha Cup Dantata & Sawoe Cup, Beginners Cup  and the Veterans Cup, among others.

Images of MTN/Katsina’2012 Polo Tournament: Pix 1 Alegandro Palomeque and Muhammadu Seriki of Max Air appealing while Hamisu Buba of Rubicon escape with the ball during the Nigerian Cup final game. Polo Pix 2: Captain of Max Air, Muhammadu Seriki receiving the Nigerian Cup from the Emir of Katsina, HRH Alhaji Abdulmumuni Kabir Usman at the prize presentation ceremony in Katsina.

MTN/Katsina Polo’2012: Max Air, Yola, Kaduna Sweep Top Laurels

The MTN/Katsina International Polo Tournament that galloped off the Nigerian polo season came to a memorable climax with host, Katsina, Kaduna and Yola teams celebrating what is unarguably one of the most exciting polo fiestas in Katsina for years.

The glamorous polo festival that is reputed for its pomp and pageantry has been commended for its enduring legacies, has received official thumps-up from the Emir of Katsina, HRH Dr. Abdulmumuni Kabir Usman

The Life Chairman of Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF) singled out MTN for its upper ground in the development of the noble game polo in Nigeria and beyond. He made this declarationin Katsina while hosting the NPF chieftains, MTN officials and the participating players who paid him a courtesy call in his palace.

Emir Kabir insisted that the unequalled involvement of the communication giants in the promotion of polo and sports generally in Katsina State, has helped in enriching lives in so many ways

He expressed happiness at the commitment of MTN to Nigerian sports over the years and urged the communication giant to do more, given the unifying and the diplomatic credentials of sports in Nigerian political history.

“We are happy with MTN for taking the mantle of engaging our youths positively in the area of sports and I would urged them not to rest as MTN stands to gain  a lot by turning our people away  from negative tendencies through sports,” the Pro Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife added.

Earlier, NPF boss, Francis Ogboro had thanked the monarch for receiving the delegation and promised the royal father that the Y’ello brand has come to stay as far as the promotion of Nigerian sports and polo in particular, is concern, both in his Katsina Kingdom and the country as a whole.

After eight days of unparallel excitements and cutting edge competitions, home Boys, Katsina Max Air made history, winning the event’s biggest prize, the Nigerian Cup, one of only four most revered polo titles in Nigeria. The others are the three hundred year old Georgian Cup, the Emir of Katsina Cup and the Majekodunmi Cup.

 Max Air, wrote their names in gold as the quartet of Lawal Mangal, Prince Umar Kabir, Alejandro Palomeque from Argentina and their skipper, Mohammed out paced two former champions, Abuja Rubicon and Kaduna Trappco, to clinch the coveted title.

One other highly celebrated victory at first attempt was recorded by Suleiman Shema’s led Katsina IT Sec team, winning the coveted General Hassan Katsina Cup, turning back many times champions and local rivals, Katsina Kangiwa to the crown.

The elated Shema was relieved to see his side sweep past a hugely supported Kangiwa to win their first major polo title played in memory of the late Life Chairman of the Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF).

Host Katsina that was aiming a clean sweep of the major titles, after fielding teams in the four main prizes at stake, could only managed two wins as their flagship team Katsina Danmarina was ousted  by the enterprising Yola Yelwa who won the Talba Cup, while Kaduna Makblow earned their first Coommassie Cup in their Katsina debut.

Other clubs like Port Harcourt, Zaria, Minna, Bauchi and the Police IGP Strikers  who had arrive the legendary Sir Usman Nagogo Polo Ground with tall ambitions of carting home laurels would have to wait till next year, to revamp their glory haunts in the ancient kingdom.

 “This is a great outing for all our teams. General Hassan Katsina Cup is one prestigious polo prize  Katsina players hold very dear to hearts and this victory will be celebrated till we defend it again next year,” Katsina Polo Club Captain, Dahiru Bagiwa declared.

 “Kaduna was afraid  not to field any team in the race for the medium goal, because they knew we were not in the mood to take prisoners in the explosive General Hassan Cup,” enthused Katsina Polo Vice  Captain, Prince Hussaini Kabir who has been an integral part of the Katsina Kangiwa success story over the years.

The Final game of the Katsina’2011 polo festival was watched by a mammoth crowd that includes His Royal Highness Alhaji Abdulmumuni Kabir Usman, NPF President, Francis Ogboro and other first class emirs from the north.

 Others include representative of Adamawa State Governor, Architect Lawrence Mgbale, members of the National Assembly, captains of industries, diplomats and delegations from neighbouring Niger Republic, Mali and Republic of Benin.