EL-Amin players with their IBB Cup prizes in a group photograph with the Emir of Minna HRH Alhaji Bahago. (Below) Nigeria’s top rated Bello Buba, doing his stuns in one of the matches.

Kaduna EL-Amin Assumes IBB Cup Immortality

The world of polo descended upon the ancient city of Minna recently to watch reigning Nigerian polo team of the decade, EL-Amin pulled all the stops on their way to winning their 13th IBB Cup, creating an enduring legacy that would be difficult to match.

The Kaduna based El-Amin was the brightest star of the prestigious Minna event, retaining the event’s biggest prize, the glittering General Abdulsalami Cup and carting home personal awards in an action pack week that was hailed by everyone from royalties, business gurus, diplomats to polo enthusiasts.

Hosted by the Niger State Government, top prizes at the grand event pitching most of the biggest names in Nigerian polo and an impressive assemblage of teams from across the country, was lopsided shared , with Kaduna teams sweping major titles, leaving Bauchi, Katsina, Zaria, Port Harcourt, Jos, Abuja, and Minna teams to settle for the crumbs.

That EL-Amin outpaced all comers to keep their treasured IBB Cup title again this year is no news, because oppositions come in number on a yearly basis, but the baffling thing about their IBB Cup supremacy, seem to be : “The more they come ,the more they all fall.”

As in all high stake polo competitions in the country, the fight was always going to be a nerve wrecking battle, but the teeming Minna polo buffs were never in doubt as to the destination of their treasured IBB Cup, that pitted perpetual champions, EL-Amin and the ambitious Kaduna Kakuri team.

They were not disappointed as their heroes; EL-Amin defeated the hard fighting Kakuri 9-41/2 to win their thirteen title in sublime campaign that bore the hallmark of their attacking flare that has earned them many top polo laurels within and outside the country.

Parading their hit squad complete with Aminu Alhaji, Bello Buba, Ibrahim Mohammed and their patron, Mohammed Babangida, EL-Amin shoot down  the quartet of Ibrahim Abba, Ibrahim Babangida, Ali Hassan and Rabiu Mohammed in Kakuri colours to keep their treasured IBB Cup and added the General Abdulsalami Cup in a show of supremacy.

Their patron, Mohammad Babangida who doubles as the Tournament Chairman was truly at home scoring accounting for some crucial goals, as his champion side added the compact Kakuri side to massive heap of their vanquished challengers.

To cap an impressive double victory, El-Amin chief predator, Bello Buba was adjudged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the prestigious Minna’2013 tournament. For archiving a milestone of 13th back-to-back IBB Cup victory, EL-Amin was honoured for their decade long consistency as the kings of high-goal polo in Nigeria.

“I feel great to realize how much joy one’s effort has brought to the lives of the teeming polo enthusiasts across the country and Zaria in particular. Their support and believe in me has been the driving force and I want to dedicate these victories to my teeming fans,” Babangida declared.

In what was the latest vogue of Minna’2013 polo, Kaduna EL-Amin (2) emerged from the wood work to shock bookmakers with a surprise General Hassan Cup victory in a typical running game that bore the trade mark of their fore bearers, EL-Amin (1).

 The junior side featuring Khalifa Adams, Abubakar Mohammed, Hussaini Mohammed and their captain, Bashir Mambo defeated seven other oppositions on their way to victory.

Port Octopus Clan finished second, dusting others like Jos Perodex, Zaria Kubanni, Kaduna Kawo, Katsina Gobarau and home side, Jamilla Ville Farm from Minna, in the race for the low-goal title.

The IBB Sports Complex, venue of the glamorous annual polo carnival, was always full to capacity on a daily basis, as the battles for the coveted Emir of Minna, the Governor’s and the General Hassan Katsina cups rages.

Three arch rivals showed up for the Emir’s prize and at the end, it was a sweet victory for Kaduna Mailanbu team that earned their first Emir of Minna Cup crown, having narrowly lost the royal title to Katsina Danmarina last year.

Playing with renewed vigor, the Mailanbu warriors parading same squad of last year, boosting their patron, Adamu Usman, Ibrahim Babangida, Lado Aliyu and Hayatou Abba out paced Katsina Liyafa Hotel and Bauchi Gubi to the title. Gubi finished runners-up after beating Liyafa 51/2 -3 in the semi.

The campaign for the medium-goal Governor’s Cup went straight to the wire as, two arch enemies from Kaduna let the spark flying in all direction in their never ending rivalry.

When the dust finally settled, Bello Buba pivoted Kaduna Makblow parading Isa Makarfi, Danjuma Abdullahi and Hissaini Ahmedu could rely on goal difference to claim victory.

Their quest to easy victory met a brick wall after being held to a 2-2 draw in the final by Kaduna Profile boosting the likes of Nasiru Yusuf, Aliyu Tijani, Kabiru Saidu and their hit-man, Ibrahim Mohammed.