The just concluded Yola International Polo
Tournament which to a colourful climax recently in Yola, truly lived up to
exciting tradition both on and off the lush green of the legendary Aliyu
Musdafa Polo Ground, its traditional home for over 80 years.
Take the participation of Argentine professionals, a
record team entries, the race for the Lamido Cup, and the superb performances
by Abuja, Kaduna and Port Harcourt teams who carted home the major trophies,
then you would see why the prestigious event was truly grand.
Last year, the Chief Host, His Royal Highness, The
Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammadu Barkindo Musdafa had pledged to
transform the noble game of kings in his kingdom and upgrade the annual Yola polo
tournament to a grade A event that would rivals its contemporaries in Lagos,
Kaduna, Kano and Katsina.
This year he did just that, flying in two thorough
breed Argentine professionals, Ceasar Polledo and Diego Ocampo both four goals
players, to pivot Yola Yelwa and Yola Fombina in their campaign for the
Governor’s Cup and the Lamido Cup respectively.
As the first set of foreigners to participate in the
tournament since its inauguration in the early 1930s, their arrival did not
only headline the prestigious event, it truly gives the grand festival its much
touted international flavour and colour.
At the end of eight days of cutting edge competition
and unparallel excitements, the high profile polo festival which came to a
colourful climax in the ancient city of Yola, with Abuja Rubicon, Kaduna Kawo, Octopus Clan from Port Harcourt
and Kaduna Malali carting home the four main prizes.
Pivoted by top rated Jamilu Mohammed, the trio of
Idris Badamasi, Malik Badamasi and Lado Aliyu who stood in for their patron,
Senator Hadi Sirika, Rubicon their arch rivals, Yola Yelwa 7-5 in a hotly
contested final win the event’s biggest prize, the Governor’s Cup.
The Abuja Boys who lost the title to Katsina Max Air last year, added the Duke’s Oil Cup to their haul sand were on the verge of adding a third before they were forced to a score draw in the Sarduana Cup final.
Mohammed Baba led Yola Yelwa boosting Asharaf
Yahaya, Aliyu Dahiru and Caesar Polledo,
paid dearly for underrating the resolve of their opponents, to rise to
the occasion when its matters most. Their effort however fetched them the
runners-up title in the Governor’s Cup race.
Kaduna Kawo ended their impressive run in the fiesta
with a hard won 2-1 victory in a tense final clash against home Boys, Yola
Fombina, to clinch the glittering Lamido Cup title, while Tanko Ayuba powered
Port Harcourt Octopus Clan defeated Katsina Gobarau to win the Intels Cup,
their first major title in Yola.
The long travelling Port Harcourt contingent that
flew the Niger Delta flag at the international polo showdown lost the second
major title by the whiskers, after a least minute loss of concentration cost
them the Admiral Nyako Cup that went to Kaduna Malali.
Yola Fombina boosting Usman Sa’ad, Aliyu Dahiru and
Zhurkanaini Mohammed and Diego Ocampo left their campaign for the highly
revered Lamido Cup title too late in the day.
Though they came out forcefully against the Baba
Kyari led Kaduna Kawo, their lost in the opening game, ensure they could only
finish second in the medium-goal title race.
The Lamido Adamawa, who is also the Grand Patron of
Yola Polo Club, HRH Muhammadu Musdafa described the partnership between its
sponsors and Yola polo as strategic a relationship that has touch lives
positively in Adamawa State and its environs.
The prestigious polo fiesta came to a flourishing
grand finale with Lamido Adamawa hosting a high profile crowd that included top
politicians, first class Emirs and delegations from Cameroun, Chad and Central
African Republic to a colourful closing ceremony.
Other glittering prizes that were carted home by the
various winners at the glamorous polo fiesta include the General Hassan Cup,
M.C Tahir Cup and the Sardauna Adamawa Cup, among others.
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