Minna Polo’2014: EL-Amin Glows with 14th IBB Cup Title

Fact is, Minna polo festival has over the years been thrills fill, exciting and memorable and the 2014 edition was no exception. Surprises were a plenty, but not enough to scratch the kings of Minna polo, EL-Amin who took their invincibility to a new height with their 14th IBB back-to-back victory.

After five days of bumper-to bumper campaign pitting over 20 teams across the country, the prestigious Minna annual polo extravaganza climaxed with three new winners in the medium and low-goals cadres, while Mohammed Babangida’s EL-Amin  sets up the longest cup win ever by any team in Nigeria’s 110 years history.

As in all high stake polo competitions, the fight was always going to be a nerve wrecking battles, but the teeming Minna polo buffs were never in doubt as to the destination of their coveted 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 retain the IBB Cup 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, the invincible EL-Amin out paced the quartet of Ibrahim Abba, Ibrahim Babangida, Ali Hassan and Hamisu Buba in Kakuri colours to keep their treasured cup in a show of supremacy that dates back to more than decade.

Urged on by their teeming supporters who stormed the Niger State capital city to cheer their polo superstars to victory, EL=Amin rose to the beat, reducing the debuting Kakuri to rubles in the final game to add the glittering Gen. Abdulsalami Cup to their victory haul this year.

EL-Amin’s unflinching superiority served as the tonic for the Katsina contingent, as Katsina Gobarau came from behind to win the Governor’s Cup, denying Senator Hadi Sirika’s Rubicon their first major title in Minna.

The IBB Sports Complex, venue of the glamorous annual festival, was always full to capacity as the battles for the coveted Emir of Minna and the General Hassan Katsina cups rages.

Five equally matched arch rivals from Yola, Port Harcourt, Bauchi, Katsina and the Nigerian Police showed up for the Emir’s royal prize and at the end, it was Bauchi Nadabo that came tops with their biggest win in Minna.

Boosting Suleiman Shema, Atiku Seibo, Usman Idris and Haruna Ningi, Nadabo edged the Police IGP Strikers parading Hamisu Ahmadu, Ibrahim Mohammed, Ibrahim Musa and Lado Aliyu, to the crown on goal difference.

Kaduna Malali who had arrived Minna on high to defend their General Hassan Cup were dumped on the wayside as Guards Brigade Nana’s Place and Jos Malcomines navigated through a crowded field of eleven teams that includes the debuting Maiduguri EL Kanemi, to clinch their final berth.

In what was the biggest upset of Minna’2014 polo, Nana’s Place emerged from the wood work to shock top firing Jos side 61/2-2 in a surprise General Hassan Cup final victory.

Apart from the major trophies, a number of subsidiary prizes and individual awards were handed out to the winners. The Nigerian Police who return to the circuit after a long lay off defeated Mike Ogolo led Port Harcourt Octopus Clan to win the Senator Idris kuta Cup, while EL Amin International School polo team out paced Polo Toddlers in the race for the Kere Ahmed Cup.

Talban Minna Cup went to Nexim Bank team, just as Heritage team fought well to clinch the Ahmadu Bahago Cup. The Most valuable Player award went to Hamisu Buba who top strikes for Kaduna Kakuri.

Affiliated to the Nigerian Polo federation (NPF), Minna Polo Club was founded in 1972 by the Late Senator (Dr.) Idris Kuta, AIG Ahmed Bello and Late Brig. Gen. Remawa.

The annual polo festival which remains the biggest sporting cum tourism event in Nigerian north central state enjoys the collective supports of former President Ibrahim Babangida, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar and His Royal Highness, Alhaji Farouk Bahago OFR, the Emir of Minna, among others.