Keffi Polo Ranch Open’2016: Atiku Abubakar, 5th Chukker, Almat, Share Limelight

The commissioning of the Club House by former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was one of the biggest highlights as the ancient city of keffi in Nasarawa State, celebrated one of its grandest moments, hosting the prestigious Keffi Polo Ranch Open Tournament, which came to colourful climax recently.

Hosted from December 15-20, in largely excellent weather conditions on superb pitch, a compelling tournament was the biggest polo festival that produced winners in three major categories, with Fifth Chukkers edging Keffi Ponys to sweep the high-goal President Cup and the Governor Cup respectively.

For six solid days, Keffi witnessed one of its grandest moments in yea, with highly competitive matches between the top-ranked teams and emerging polo powers  on  knock-out phases that bucked the trend and delivered more memorable funs never witnessed in the ancient kingdom established over three centuries ago.

Positive, competitive polo was also a major factor in contributing to full and vibrant ground and the most spoken about sporting event of the year, with Almat Group team  securing a 10-6 victory over Iyatu Farms to clinch the medium-goal National Assembly Cup, and Bauchi Dokaji  out pacing DeeBee Farms in the final  to win the glittering Aliku Abubakar Cup.

AL Husna defeated gold Hchney the tussle for the Emir of Keffi Cup, just as Manarat secured a slime 8-6 victory in the final of Oba of Lagos Cup decided before first class emirs, State Governors, Ministers members of the National Assembly, diplomats and surging crowd of over five thousand polo freaks.

Expectedly, Keffi Ranch ’2016 rumble that was the third in series since the  epoch inaugural edition December last year, was a befitting event Chief host Honourable Aliyu Wadada to give back to the society, using  the proceeds to benefit  the less privilege and education in Nasarawa State through Wadada Education Foundation.

“I’ve always believe in giving back to the society It’s a huge pleasure to champion the birth of polo here and use the proceeds to benefit the orphanages and education in Nasarawa State and I’ve been lucky my little efforts are yielding results.” Wadada declared.

“Looking at the huge crowd that turned up from the high up there in the society echelon to the down trodden, polo has truly come to stay and Keffi Polo Ranch  will continue to blaze the trail in empowering the people, impacting positively in social and tourism transformation of the state and the country at large  .” he added.

His Excellency, Aitu  Abubakar led the Emirs of Keffi, Nasarawa, Suleja,  House of Representative Speaker, Yakubu Dogara who represented President Muhammadu Buhari,former Speaker Dimeji Bankole, former Deputy Speaker Emeka Iheadioha, Ambassador of Poland, to present prizes to the winners and runners-up.

Purposely established as a polo farm and a relaxation center for tourists and equestrian buffs, Keffi Polo Ranch tournament remains one of the must-play polo events in the country, because of its unique location and closeness to Abuja, the Nation’s capital city.

2016 Kaduna Intentional Polo Tournament Rewind: EL-Amin Cements Georgian Cup Dominance, Wins 13th Title

A genuine competitiveness throughout with drama and excitement in equal measures, the 2016 Kaduna International Polo Tournament was a polo grand slam both on and off the pitch and after eight days of intense games and politics, the status quo remains.

After more than a decade  of peerless dominance, Nigeria’s reigning high-goal  polo kings,  EL-Amin raised the bar  in  Georgian  Cup history, defeating  archrivals, Rubicon and rewrite history as the first high team ever, to win the oldest polo prize in the world a record thirteen times.

On a balmy November evening in Kaduna and a surging crowd watching on at a packed legendary Murtala Mohammed Polo Ground, EL-Amin successfully defended the Georgian Cup title they first won in 1999 in that epic battle that has since become folklore in the annals of Nigerian polo.

What appeared to be a relatively straightforward win on paper for EL-Amin proved the exact opposite as Rubicon refused to countenance the pre-match odds, providing a much sterner test to the title holders, but couldn’t stop the Kaduna warriors who thunder away with a sensational 10-8 win.

 “It feels fantastic,” EL-Amin Patron, Mohammad Babangida enthuse moments after receiving the 400 years old Georgian trophy from Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF) President, Francis Ogboro.  He hail is players for producing an inspired performance to mark their 21st anniversary full of pride and guts.

“It’s such a proud moment; it’s an historical event for Kaduna and polo across all of Nigeria and indeed Africa. We want to say a big thank you to our teeming fans around the world and to all those who believe in us.”

“We’ve created history today, not only for the players but also for the noble game and posterity. I am really glad we have managed to mentor the future generation and reposition the game in our little way. It’s very pleasing.”

 “It’s unbelievable. I couldn’t describe the first time we won so I don’t know how to put this one into words,” Nigeria’s highest rated player and EL-Amin predator in chief, Bello Buba said. “It’s an amazing feeling and I’m just so proud of my teammates. It’s a huge honour.

Other major winners at the prestigious Kaduna’2016 polo include Suleiman Bello’s Kaduna Sublime Tajudeen Dantata’s Kano Titan and Bauchi Kari teams who flew higher, thanks to their sterling performances that fetched them the Emir of Katsina Cup, the NCC Cup and the EL-Amin Cup respectively.

"On behalf of the Nigerian Polo Federation, I would like to congratulate EL-Amin for his historic achievement. This is another victory and a record they thoroughly deserved in a tough and highly competitive Nigerian polo scene, “said NPF President, Francis Ogboro stated in his closing remarks.

Yola BSC, Jos, Port Harcourt Teams, Rule 2016 Adamawa Polo

In the noble game of kings, there are always plenty of good times, and the grove was not in short supply as Yola, revered as one of the earliest birth place of polo in the north eastern part of Nigeria, host the its annual  tournament on at the legendary Aliyu Musdafa Polo Ground

Expectedly, the fiesta provided a perfect platform for the best of Nigerian polo and at the end of a weeklong excitement, Port Harcourt, Jos and host Yola teams distinguished themselves having booked their places as champions with sensational wins in the over 85 year old history of the festival.

While it was business as usual for Yola BSC team with their biggest win in front of their home fans, lifting the Governor’s Cup, the biggest title at stake, a busy week of international polo produced plenty of surprise results elsewhere to underline the competitiveness of the sport.

As Yola’2016 overall champions racking two titles in one sweeping campaign, The Governor’s Cup and the American University of Nigerian (AUN) Cup, Tanko Ayuba’s warriors boosting Nigeria’s number one, Bello Buba, Aliyu Dahiru and Kabiru Seidu are bubbling with confidence as they challenge for more glories.

"I'm ecstatic, it hasn’t really sunk in at the moment," admitted Ayuba."We hit the ground running in the final and the boys stuck on task and we got over the line at the end. It took a massive amount of effort and I'm honoured to say I'm patron of this side."

Buba who was voted the Most Valuable Player of the tournament pivoted the home side in a spectacular manner, scoring four of the six goals BSC recorded to defeat Katsina Kangiwa 8-31/2 in the final, just as his kid brother Hamisu Buba was the star of the Jos Malcomines’ Lamido Cup victory campaign.

Perhaps the most eye-catching result came from the visiting teams where Port Harcourt representatives were deserved winners of three major prizes after beating top seeds en route to the finals.

Led by Port Harcourt Polo Club Captain, Michael Ogolo and former president Tony Isodje, the Casiva side defeated Kaduna Kakuri 51/2-5 in a closely fought final, to win the MTN Cup, just as Strata Base overcame local rival, Port Harcourt Kay Jay Energy 3-1 to clinch the NCC Cup.

Henry Toby and his Port Shashbass Boys are still keeping their winning streak alive with another victory in Yola with the MC Tahir victory. They had earlier won in Bauchi and picked another in Katsina last August.

“Our successes so far is a result of total commitment of our players to win at every tournament we play and winning in far away Yola can also be seen as reward for over as thousand kilometer from Rivers State in Niger Delta to participate in this international tournament,” declares Ogolo.

Hot favourites, Port Harcourt Casiva threw away another win after allowing Jos Opponents to come from behind to snatch a 4-2 victory in the Lamido Cup final clash. Last year’s finalist, Yola Fomina dropped to third.

Adamawa State Governor, Senator Jubrilla Bindow and  the Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF)  President, Francis Ogboro were led by the Lamido Adamawa, H.R.H Alhaji (Dr,) Muhammedu Barkindo Musdafa to give  out prizes to the winners at the colourful closing ceremony.

Kano Polo’2016: Fifth Chukker, Keffi Ponys Share Top Honours

Adamu Atta and Honourable Aliyu Wadada etched their names in history as their fifth Chukker and Keffi Pony teams pulled off every stop to clinch the Emir of Kano Cup and the MTN Cup respectively at the 2016 international polo tournament which came to a colourful climax in Kano.

The Kaduna and the Keffi based polo lords sneaked into the Usman Dantata Polo Ground for the prestigious MTN carnival with an intimidating horse power, fortified with foreign professionals, with one priority, to win.

Back by their travelling fans, the Fifth Chukker hit their stride in a mission to retain the Emir of Kano Cup, the biggest title at stake and they did not disappoint as Atta marshaled his players in a six chukkas closely fought encounter, defeating Keffi Pony 8-7 to retain their much cherished Emir’s cup for the second year running.

Their attempt to add the glittering MTN Cup to their prize haul ran into the rough as Wadada and his Keffi Ponys rallied to their first major polo title in Kano, holding the champions 6-6 in a tense final clash to emerge proud MTN Cup winners on toss.

There were excitement all round the magnificent polo arena and by the end the ten days extravaganza the Golden Boy of Kano polo, Tajudeen Dantata and his Titans join the podium, , thanks to their 51/2- 4 win over Kaduna Amana side in the explosive Dangote Cup final.

Earlier, Sadiq Wali and Usman Abdulrashid had led their selected teams to victories, clinching the Sir Muhhamadu Sanusi Cup and the Governor’s Cup in the subsidiary cup finals that preceded the MTN Cup final that drew the curtain on the glamorous polo festival watched by a discerning VIPs that include Emirs, politicians, diplomats and thousand of polo buffs.

Few polo clubs campaign for honours quite as loudly as Abuja Guards and Ibadan polo clubs does, dominating and sweeping high stakes in the first stage of the tournament. There were plenty of admirations for the way their representatives, Abuja Rubicon and Ibadan Jericho and Ibadan Mapo held themselves, wining the Dantata and the MRS respectively.

Ibadan Polo captain, Koyin Owoeye added a special for himself pivoting a selected side to win the glittering General Hassan Cup to their victory haul.

Revered as the most prestigious polo event in the centre of commerce in the northern part of the country, the Kano polo tournament has continue to grow by leaps, attracting the biggest teams from across the country and the 2016 edition  was no exception.

Katsina’2016 Polo: Titan, Evergreen,Dattaku, Shabbazz Finish Tops

2016MTN/Katsina International Polo Tournament will be remembered for thrilling games and the incredible passion of the players and the teeming polo buffs from across the country and beyond, who throng the event in their droves to bath in the excitement of the season opening polo extravaganza.

After eight days of top class polo, the MTN powered tournament climaxed on high with teams from Kaduna,Kano and host Katsina carting home carting home the four major titles at stake in what  was undoubtedly, one of the biggest and most competitive international polo events ever staged in the ancient Katsina kingdom.

Katsina international polo tournament has over the decades been the centre stage for some of Nigerian polo biggest stars – from Dawule Baba, Bello and Hamisu Buba, Jamilu Mohammed, the princes from the Katsina royal house and many in between.

 The just concluded event also added to this rich list of top performers. Prince Aminu Abdulmumuni joins the exclusive list after top striking for Katsina Peace Air  in the rae for Hassan Katsina  Cup.

With a crowded field 32 teams from all the major polo centres across the country vying top honours the Kataina’2016 polo festival was destined for a photo finish and the tournament demonstrated the tremendous balance in the game with Yola, Bauchi Port Harourt  teams finishing third, fourth and fifth respectively.

Expectedly, Katsina Polo’2016 rumble showcase the best of Nigerian polo and at the end of a weeklong fiesta, visiting Kano Titans edged former champions, Katsina Max Air in a closely fought final game, to win the event’s biggest prize, the Nigerian Cup.

 The battle for the medium-goal General Hassan Katsina that pitted three equally matched teams was won by the rampaging Kano Bagauda team that outpaced the hard fighting Bauchi Dokaji in an impressive campaign. Host Katsina gave their fans plenty to celebrate for as Katsina Evergreen team defeated Zaria Zaz Project to clinch the Coommassie Cup.

 Kaduna contingent also made the podium with the Talba Cup triumph, thanks to Kaduna Dattaku who stopped Kano Susplan victory run in a tense final, just Port Harcourt Polo Shabbazz earned a morale boosting runners-up finish in the race for the crowded low-goal title that attracted a 15 teams.

 “We are particularly indebted to our numerous sponsors and partners like MTN and others for their unflinching supports that ensure the successful hosting of this prestigious polo tournament,” NPF President, Francis Ogboro, declared in his closing remarks.

“Their readiness to continue sponsoring our tournament for almost a decade, has become a source of inspiration in promoting sporting activities and economic development in the various states,” Ogboro concluded.

Bauchi Polo’2016: Kaduna,PH,Gabasawa Sweep Laurels

The uch heralded Bauchi ‘2016 Polo Tournament that spread unparallel excitements cross the country, ended recently with Bauchi Linkage Petroleum and Kaduna teams carting home the biggest honours,

It was an intensive six  days of top class polo as over thirty top ranking teams converged in the ancient Hausa kingdom to vie for honours in one of the most prestigious polo extravaganzas in the country.

As the last tournament for the 2015-2016 season n on the Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF) annual calendar, the Bauchi polo fiesta truly lived up to its traditional cutting edge competitive billings as teams from Kaduna, Port Harcourt  and host Bauchi came out in flying colours.

Event’s biggest prize, the Governor’s Cup that annually threw up new winners, was in its full bloom as Kaduna  Kawo made good their pre-tournament rating, beating determined opposition from host Bauchi, to clinch their first major polo title this year.

Kaduna contingent added  the Emir of Bauchi Cup to their title haul after  Baba Kyari pivoted Kaduna Sultana outpaced three other oppositions to the royal crown. BSC warriors from Adamawa Kingdom ensure a podium finish for Yola teams, with a runners-up win in the medium-goal Emir of Bauchi Cup.

The Governor’s Cup setback did not wore heavily on host Bauchi, as Haruna Usman led Gabasawa  wo the Tafewa Balewa Cup, to give the teeming home crowd plenty to celebrate for. Usman Idris pivoted Bauchi Kari finished runners –up , thus ensuring a clean sweep for the host in the intermediate cup race.

The jostling for the crowded Sarkin Fulani Cup that attracted a record 14 teams from major polo centres across the country, was a bumper-to-bumper affair to the final, with the long travelling Port Harcourt and Zaria finding steams to a winner and runners-up finish respectively.

Port Harcourt club that came back to the winning ways two years ago in Bauchi , maintain their new form as debuting Port Harcourt Shabazz powered by Henry Tobi  outclassed more experienced oppositions to  the glittering Sarkin Fulani crown.

Long established as one of the premier sporting and tourism  attractions in Bauchi, polo has been played here at the Mingi Road polo arena for decades now, and the popularity of the grand fiesta is far from weaning as tourists, polo enthusiasts from far and wide witnessed the fiesta in their drove this year.