Hail Georgian Kings: EL-Amin Prove Themselves Best in History

Founded only two decades ago, in 1995, that, in truth, doesn’t confer the team with a long history. But El – Amin’s achievement’s, as a polo organization, has been phenomenal.

Since making its debut in Nigerian polo scene, the team has won every conceivable tournament and trophy on sight, making it not only Nigeria’s best and dominant team, but one of the finest outfits in the world as well.

Mohammed Babangida and his EL-Amin super stars have been a team in perpetual quest for glory. Player for player, pony for pony, tournament after tournament, this team has battled and conquers all, to perpetually stamp their supremacy in the noble game of kings. 

The Georgian Cup, one of the biggest Africa’s most wanted polo prize, was undoubtedly the pick of the pack at 2015 Kaduna International Polo Tournament which thrills to a colourful climax in front a surging crowd of over 10,000 polo enthusiasts.

The one-cup, three game, winners takes –all polo prize was bracing up history books as the oldest and the most revered polo prize in this part of the world which put the Georgian within the realms of such world class prizes on offer at the British and the Argentine opens.

The 2015 Kaduna International Polo Tournament left an enduring legacy in the mind of polo enthusiasts and the height of it all, was the Nigerian high-goal kings, EL-Amin that celebrated their 20th anniversary with a big bang.

What a glorious way to finish. The Georgian Cup and the best Kaduna polo fiesta, capped by the most exhilarating final and won by the best team of all-time, EL-Amin, led by polo’s finest players and piloted by the game’s Patron of the Decade supremo, Mohammad Babangida.

That conquest was their 12th title and a record achievement for any polo team ever for the 400 years old coveted polo crown that has been at stake annually in Nigeria for 95 years now.

Thanks to their daring quest and self belief that has been their hallmark in the last two decade, EL-Amin has dominated not only the Georgian Cup, but other high-goal titles like Majekodunmi Cup in Lagos, Emir of katsina Cup in Kano, the Nigerian Cup in katsina, IBB Cup in Minna and Hassan Katsina Cup in Port Harcourt.

“I'm really proud of the last 20 years, the highs and the lows, it has been an unbelievable journey,” Mohammad Babangida said. “I'm not too sure it's the end yet. There is a lot to happen with EL-Amin team. “I have a lot of time to sit back, relax and assess where we are. Where I am as a person, where I am as a player and maybe sit back and write a few more goals for the next few years.” Babangida declares.

“I think the future of polo in Nigeria looks bright. There are a lot of up and coming players around and a great deal of talents yet to be discovered.”   “Once young people get into polo, they’re passionate, like all of us. Polo is not just a sport; it’s a `way of life’. It takes over your life, and it has to be all- encompassing,” he added.

El-Amin only defeated once in the last ten years in the Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF) circuit, eased past their distance rivals and one time winner, Abuja Rubicon and Keffi Pony, scoring a record 17 goals in a classic display that also fetch them the high profile Argentine Ambassador’s Cup.

"Having played so many Georgian Cup finals with a great bunch of players, I'm just so proud and honoured to be a member of EL-Amin family today and I don't think you can get enough of that,” said Nigeria’s top rated and EL-Amin’s chief predator, Bello Buba, who holds 15 Georgian Cup titles under his belt.

"A team has played and won 12 Georgian Cups doesn’t have its career defined by one game. That's already been written in the history books. EL-Amin has enhanced Nigerian polo positively,” says Ibrahim Mohammed, the founding member of the team.

Dignitaries in attendance included the Life Chairman of Nigerian Polo federation (NPF), HRH Emir of Katsina, Alhaji (Dr.) Abdulmumuni Kabir Usman, Lamido Adamawa, HRH Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammadu Barkindo Musdafa, and HRH Emir of Kano Alhaji Sanusi Lamido (11). NPF President, Francis Ogboro, governors of Kaduna, Katsina, Bauchi, Ministers, business leaders and diplomats, were part of the epoch crowd.