Abraka Polo’2014: Raiders, Ashton Wells Earn Top Honours

Rarely do things that tout themselves as the 'world's best' live up to the hype, but for over a decade, Abraka International Polo Tournament has been there to break the mold and this year was no exception.

Another successful Abraka polo ended with pomp over the weekend, with Ashbert and Ashton Wells crowned champions in the respective prizes.

Once again the annual polo fiesta lived up to it’s highly revered billing and left in its trail legacies of how the highlights-makers captured the three days of tempestuous excitement on and off the pitch.

From the very first match to the last at the foremost Abraka Turf Ground, drama filled the air. The teams found some size, steel and x-factor to add to their speedy efficiency and the crowd was there to cheer every moment of the tournament.

Ashbert Raiders patron, Albert Esiri was pleased with the contributions made by all of his players throughout the round robin tournament that saw the Ashbert carting home two of the three major titles at stake.

Spurred on by their teeming supporters, the home side, orchestrated superbly by Ari Esiri, Albert Esiri, Jamilu Mohammed and Bruno Ciponeri took to a blistering start, out pacing the quartet of Roger Woodbridge, Jamilu Isiaku, Isa Kwame and pivot Bello Buba to the Conversation Cup.

Re enforced with Ali Birjawi, Ashton spear headed by Buba tested their mettle in the Patrons Trophy final, and the sudden death winner was as cruel on them as it was ecstatic for the Raiders. Ashton Wells provided surprising and stern opposition in the all-important final match, but Esiri’s men came through in the added thirty seconds, with Albert scoring the winner in a 7=6 victory.

Ashton Wells had a point to prove in the International Gold Cup final following their narrow loss of Conservation and the Patrons Trophy in the first two days of the tournament. Their captain Roger Woodbridge was delighted with the win, after defeating Ashbert 8=6 in a fiercely fought final to clinch the International Gold Cup.

"I'm so proud of the guys. We worked so hard and the conditions were really tough out there." "We really wanted to change our tactics because we weren't happy after Conservation and the Patrons Trophy finals. It worked well and Bello and the rest of the guys truly deserved the victory.”

Ashbert, it seems, have found a balance and a style under Esiri, far more defensively sound and organized and with lynchpins Mohammed and Ciponeri patrolling the middle and pacy Ari upfront, the Raiders found a level of consistency in their play that deservedly gave them the two major titles.

The biggest turn around came from Ashton Wells who emerged from the virgin forest of Ethiope River to bite back, restored their bruised egos and regain the respect of the crowd in the final day.

They rallied well to take the International Gold with an 8=6 win, but were denied the crown as the over all champions by Ashbert Raiders who produced the performance of the weekend to remain the kings of Abraka polo.

International polo coach Chris Atkinson has predicted a bright future for the noble game of kings in the country, with the high standard of facilities available in private clubs like the Abraka Turf & Country Club.

Coach Atkinson, who was one of the technical officials during the event, says the Turf remains one of the few best facilities to play and enjoy the game of polo in the world.

Thomas Hope who was playing his first Abraka tournament, heap accolades on Prince Albert for providing such a world class facility for the game of polo and other sports at the Turf.

Hope who was part of the Ashbert team that won the Conversation Cup, admitted to being “pretty amazed” by world class facilities and the high standard skills he has seen while participating in Nigeria.

He single out Bello Buba and Jamilu Mohammed for mention “The ground is really one of the best in the world and their (players) skill levels are fantastic,” admitted Hope.”

The Special Guest of Honour Ovie of Umiaghwa Abraka Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, AVM Lucky Ochuko Ararile (rtd.), described Abraka Turf & Country Club as a shinning example of an individual effort at projecting the tourism potentials of Delta State and Nigeria internationally.

The long list of personalities who witnessed the prestigious polo event includes HRM Queen Oniemo, Princess Voke Ararile, Prince (Dr.) Obuks and Prince Ochuko Ejohwomu respectively and the Ojeba of Agbor Kingdom, HRM V.N. Ikechukwu.