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.