There was no overhead fly over by a jumbo jet but
excitements were running high at the magnificent Abraka Turf & Country Club
in Oria last weekend and the skies were blue – just as they were 20 years ago
to this day when the first edition of Easter international polo tournament was
inaugurated.
“It is fantastic to see everyone again, on the field
where it all happened,” said the proprietor, Albert Esiri who spearheads the
private polo culture in the country with his Abraka turf vision way back mid
1990s.
Twenty years on, the turf has truly come of age and
to mark that milestone, some the best polo patrons, the games’ big names and a
visiting team from Egypt converge at the tranquil turf for the anniversary
tournament.
“To be honest, up until a few days ago, I hadn’t
thought about it (the anniversary) a lot as we all have busy lives. But being
here weekend and linking the people around you to the moment … the memories
have all come flooding back,” declares Esiri.
“Looking back to the inaugural tournament, it was
fantastic. After two decades of high profile tournaments here, the passion and
excitement is much stronger and louder. For us this is a special one and
anniversary, a big event.”
Another successful Abraka polo tournament and the
anniversary edition ended with pomp, with Ashbert, Ashton Wells, Egyptian
Police Team and Abraka Guards teams crowned champions in the respective prizes.
The 20th edition of the fiesta lived up to its much anticipated billing and left in its trail legacies that
highlight the three days of tempestuous excitement on and off the pitch.
From the very first match to the final game at the
foremost Abraka Turf Ground, drama filled the air. The teams showcase their
awesome skills 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 the players throughout the tournament
that saw the Ashbert carting home two of the four major titles at stake, the
Patrons Cup and the Ashton Wells Trophy.
Spurred on by their teeming supporters, the home
side, orchestrated superbly by Albert Esiri, Folarin Kuku, Mohammed Wayd and
Jamilu Mohammed took to a blistering start, out pacing the quartet of Ari
Esiri, Hon. Habeeb Fashinro, Bello Buba and Sa’ad in Abraka Turf colours, to
the Patrons Cup.
Re enforced with Ali Birjawi, Ashton Wells loaded with by Kayode Awogboro, Ahmed Diaa
and Ali Kashef tested their mettle in the Conservation Cup final, coming back
from 1-3 , to win 8-4 against Aqua Dulcis, in a sensational display of top
class polo.
Abraka Guards parading Usman Dantata, Hon. Habeeb
Fashinro, Kayode Awogboro and Ali Birjawi had a point to prove in the
International Gold Cup final against the Police team from Cairo, having watch
from the sideline as other teams win major prizes in first two days of the
tournament.
The visiting Egyptians who were playing their first
tournament on the Abraka Turf provided a surprising and stern opposition with
their trademark regimented polo, in the all-important final match.
With the clash ending with four goals apiece after
sudden death chukka, both teams were declared winners on the consent of the
players and in the spirit of the anniversary.
Tony Isodje, Michael Ogolo, Tayo Awogboro, Abdul
Uthman, Sadiq Dantata, Sayyi Dantata and Marwan Mustafa from Cairo, all shares
honours in the Exhibition Cup series decided in honour of the Abraka Turf
patrons whose contributions were celebrated.
The Ovie of Umiaghwa Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, AVM
Lucky Ochuko Ararile (rtd.) who was the Special Guest of Honour and Mrs. Esiri
were on hand to present the prizes to the winners and the runners up at a
colourful closing ceremony preceded by fireworks and traditional dances.
“Let me on behalf of the Umiaghwa Kingdom and
all the entire people of Delta State, thank Prince Albert Esiri for his
visionary effort at putting up this world class facility that has for the past
decade been positively projecting the image of the state and the region
internationally,” the royal father declared his closing remarks.
