Monday 22 April 2013
Katsina, Yola, Abuja Sweep Zaria’2013 Polo Titles
An epic so exciting, you could choke on the popcorn.
Zaria‘2013 international polo extravaganza was undoubtedly the most riveting
drama of the king of games in recent history.
From its colourful opening ceremony where a record
37 teams from across the country lined up for action, to its flourishing climax
played out in front of surging crowd, it was certain that the aristocrats game
of polo was truly at home in Zaria.
After eight
breathtaking days of the best of polo action in Zaria, the polo world will
surely now be talking about grand event and its many legacies, with the biggest
being the unforgettable resurrection of Sokoto polo to limelight.
Beamed around the world to record countries and
covered by international media, the MTN powered tournament polo lived up it's
billing as a truly global festival of the noble game of kings with a record 37
team participating.
Katsina Max Air defeated hard fighting Abuja Rubicon
in a grudge final to retain the event’s biggest title, the Royal Signal Cup and
etch their name on to the 92 year old cup.
Boosting Nigeria’s top rated striker, Bello Buba in
their line-up the trio of Lawal Mangal, Umar Kabir Usman and Mohammed Seriki out
paced last year’s runners-up, Abuja Rubicon, in a 7-6 neck-to-neck final that cement a sweet encore
to the Katsina kings.
Katsina Sultana warriors wrote their names in gold,
out pacing Bankole Foundation from Abuja in a grueling four chukkas final to
win the event’s second most wanted title, the Emir of Zazzau Cup.
The Foundation guys led by the former House of Reps
Speaker, Dimeji Bankole who were eyeing their second major title after winning
the Emir of Katsina Cup in Kaduna last December, were failed in their bid, as
the Suleiman Shema’s powered Sultana secured a narrow 41/2-4 victory in the
final to win the prize.
The Long travelling Yola Acadian, keep their
concentrations to the last, denying the ambitious Katsina Massanawa 41/2-4 in a
tense final, to win their second Governor’s Cup title.
Guards Lukat were also part of the proud history.
The Musty Junaid captain side turned their outsiders rating to glittering gold,
defeating Kaduna Makblow 7-51/2 in the final, to clinch the University Cup that
attracted a record 17 teams this year.
The MTN /Zaria polo extravaganza that has so richly
touches lives in the past years, hit a milestone this year with the return of
the Sokoto team to international lime light. After decades in doldrums the guys
from the Seat of Caliphate leaped back to life in a most stunning way, thanks
to Musa Maccido who bankrolled their participation and Nura Kangiwa who mounted
the team throughout the fiesta.
The DSP Haruna Shagari led Caliphate side that
boosted the likes of Faruk Koko, Salisu Ibrahim and Mohammed Dankaura who came
out of retirement, could not make it to the final of the crowded University
Cup, but finished on high as the toss of the tournament.
With royalties, business gurus, diplomats, top
politicians and executive members Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF) executive
members, watching as part of the colourful crowd, Zaria’2013 festival succeeded
beyond expectations.
"It was an absolutely outstanding tournament,
both on and off the field. We saw so many upsets and so many unexpectedly good
performances it was just outstandingly competitive," said Francis Ogboro,
President of the Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF).
"From what we saw from both the high and the
low-goal categories I think Zaria’2013 international polo tournament is a
strong indication yet, that Nigerian polo has a great future. “ Ogboro added.
"There were so many good moments from both on
and off the pitch, I think Zaria’2013 will set a base for the future here. "We had many high profile guest and
visitors throughout the tournament. They were very impressed by what they saw
and I think we've got a really good case to make about our potential."
Baba Kyari, the NPF Secretary General pointed out.
With an estimated population of almost a million,
Zaria is located in northern Nigeria on a major north-south highway about 87
miles southwest of Kano. First known as Zazzau, the city was founded about 1000
years ago as one of the seven Hausa city-states. Zaria was captured by the
Fulani in 1805 and by the British, under Frederick Lugard, in 1901.
Initially, an early settlement of the Hausa, Fulani,
the Kanuris from the old Kanem-Bornu Empire and the Yoruba from Ogbomoso, Zaria
has grown into what is now generally referred to as a cosmopolitan city and the
king of sports, polo has contributed immensely to that transformation.
Tuesday 16 April 2013
Ashbert Raiders, MRS Share Abraka Turf Polo’2013 Honours
As the exclusive and dazzling Abraka Turf and
Country Club sprawls majestically from the bank of the mysterious Ethiope
River, any reason is good enough to pay it a visit, and for those who spent
their Easter holiday here this year, it was an
unforgettable weekend.
With the Abraka kingdom bathed in its traditional
annual feast and Abraka Turf ‘2013 polo tournament highlighting the grand
festival, it was a thrilling experience for polo enthusiasts as home side,
Ashbert Raiders and visiting MRS share top honours.
Decided over three days of top class polo, the game
was tied several times and never out of reach of either teams who have won
major titles in this exclusive event. MRS gunning for another encore, played
well to win the Patrons Cup, while Asbhert Raiders made headlines with a stunning
International Gold Cup victory.
Prince Albert Esiri playing for the first time with his
son, Arie, alongside Dawule Baba and Seavill, delighted huge home support and pulled off
a late 8-71/2 International Gold Cup victory over MRS in a five chukka explosive
final.
Ashbert Raiders skipper, Seavill heaped praises on
his side after they defeated MRS in a grueling International Gold Cup final at
the Abraka’2013 international polo tournament that climaxed with fanfare recently.
Having loss the Patrons’ Cup to the rampant MRS
barely 12 hours ago, this final clash was closer in a humid Abraka Turf as the
Raiders came from behind to win thanks to Seavill's superb penalties and field goals, a result
which earned the host one of the event’s biggest prizes.
"That was a tough match, credit to MRS they
made us work very hard for it. It was hectic, but the support we were getting
was a real motivational factor. It was good to bounce back and giving a
performance like that is great.” “For us we are going to enjoy this win
tonight." Prince Esiri added.
MRS parading three debutantes, Abba Dantata, Jamilu
Isiaka and Khalifa Ibrahim and their skipper Bashir Dantata, got off to a
winning start as they look to extend their winning runs in the Easter fiesta, beating
Ashbert 61/2-4 in the Patrons Cup opening game, thanks to great braces from
Bashir, Abba and khalifa.
Host Raiders responded well in their second match,
defeating MRS 8-71/2 in an enthralling Patrons Cup final match, but lose the
title to the visitors on goals difference. "It is not everyday you beat a
great team like Ashbert Raiders with the likes Albert Esiri, Dawule Baba
and Charles Seavill twice in the final." Dantata pointed out.
"It is a good momentum going
into the season.” "You got to take every win as they come, and we can go back as a
happy team and looking forward to next year.” Bashir statedt.
"We controlled the opening chukkas and let them
slip. You can't concentrate for 95% of the game and let the 5% slip. It is hard
to explain, but I must give kudos to the Raiders who never gave up. "Seavill,
Esiri and Dawule let their experiences speak particularly in that crucial last
chukka when we were 71/2-7,” he added.
In the
low-goal title race, Ashton Wells pulled the biggest surprise of the tournament
winning the Conservation Cup, dethroning Aqua Dulcis in a reverse of last
year's result when Bruno Cipponeri helped Aqua Dulcis to the title with 1
41/2-4 final scores.
Parading Osa
Cookey, the debuting Boddie, Hugo and the only lady in the pack, Neku Atawodi,
Ashton Wells galloped off to blistering start, winning the opening game with an
impressive 4-21/2 margin against Aqua Dulcis featuring Ade Laoye, Dolapo
Akinrele, Tony Isodje and Kojo Yusuf.
In the grudge final, Ashton Wells proved too strong
for Aqua Dulcis as the home crowd favourrites lost 31/2-6, thus ending the
reign as the Conservation Cup kings.
"It is unbelievable," said Cookey who led
the Ashton Wells side. "For us we have been so unlucky in the final last
year, and to come back again after that narrow lost and bounce back and give a
performance like that is great.”
Chris Bethell who umpires all the games hailed the
winners for their hard earned victories, and urges the losers to work hard and
ensure victory next year. The United Kingdoms based professional polo umpire who
is Cowdray Park polo manager, was particularly thrilled with then lushness and
the firmness of the Abraka Turf Ground.
“At Cowdray
Pack, we pride ourselves with having the best polo grounds in the world, but it
is truly amazing that Nigeria can boost a ground like this. From what I have
seen in most of the polo grounds around, Abraka Turf field is not just the best in
Nigeria, but one of the best in the world.”Bethell maintained
The resort is set on several hectres of lush
cultivated tropical gardens for families, couples and individuals offering
holiday accommodation in villas and apartments. Being away from the hustle and bustle
of the business hubs of Nigeria, Abraka Turf and Country Club is the perfect
environment to completely relax or embark on all the adventures this
magnificent region has to offer.
Abraka's unique combination of location, country
club atmosphere, luxury accommodation and friendly staff, will make packing
your bags to leave this exotic place a great challenge. The club boasts of a breathtaking
setting that is surrounded by lush tropical jungle and bordered by the
beautiful River Ethiope.
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