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.

Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield Polo'2016: Access Bank 5th Chukker Retains Title

The prestigious 2016 Access Bank UNICEF Charity Polo Tournament that came to a flourishing climax last weekend at the Fifth Chukker Polo & Country Club Grounds of the serene Kangimi Resort in Kaduna had something for everyone.

From the Argentine National Day anniversary, to the Children Day celebration, and the cliff hanging finals of the Access Bank Cup and Charity finals, the 2016 edition of the richest charity polo event in Africa was a huge success on all fronts especially for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in northern Nigeria,

The charity polo extravaganza took off in grand style with the UNICEF Cup that pitted 15 teams in fierce battles that had the British High Commissioner, Paul Arkwright and the Argentine Ambassador to Nigeria, Gustavo leading the diplomatic community to event.

The jostling came to an exciting climax with Iyatu Farms beating Titan /STL 5 - 4 1/2 to win the UNICEF Cup. Kano BUA also edged debuting Ibadan Jericho 5 1/2 - 5 in the subsidiary final to clinch the Argentinean Ambassador's Cup.

UNICEF Charity polo extravaganza, is about the noble game of kings being presented with the pomp and exuberance of every sport, such as fans rushing the field at the conclusion of an incredible Access Bank Cup final game this year.

That unforgettable magic that saw Diego White’s pivoted Caverton Saopolo clinching their first major title, truly highlighted the tournament this year. The Lagos based team came back from three goals deficit, to score three un-replied goals in the last chukka to clinch a sensational 6-5 victory against local rival, Lagos Ashton .

"This was a must-win for us and definitely we were up for it. What pleased me, I think, was our fighting spirit. In our first game, we were running the ball a lot, but especially in this final we turned them around with our close markings and that was definitely great for us." Declared Caverton skipper, Rotimi Makanjuela .

“Obviously, we are massively disappointed with the result, all credit to the champions.  They played really well and they really stuck in it till the end. In the third and the fourth chukka we were on top of the game, we were really going for it but, Caverton Saopolo pulled away and won."  Sherif Shagaya, Kashton patron, said sadly.

The quest for the 2016 Charity Shield final was a neck –to- neck confrontation between defending champions Access Bank Fifth Chukker and MRS boosting Idris Badamasi (+2), Bashir Dantata (+3), Leroux Hendrix (+5) and Tom De Bruin (+7).

The Dantata Boys had jumped lead in the opening chukkas, before succumbing to the firepower of Access Bank Fifth Chukker  quartet of Lawal Mohammed (0), Bello Buba (+4), Julio Estrada (+7) and Manuel Crespo who scored late  goals to win 9-8.

The Charity Shield began in 2003 as platform to support local charity organizations in Kaduna. Since 2006 this humanitarian effort has been geared exclusively towards UNICEF intervention projects for orphans and vulnerable children in Kaduna State.

The Nigerian edition of the  tournament is the first phase of the series climaxed  in Europe with the Access Bank Charity Shield Polo Day at the prestigious Guards Polo Club in London next month.

Minna’2016 Polo: EL-Amin Cements IBB Cup Dominance

Nigeria’s most successful high-goal  polo team, EL-Amin  sent out a  Georgian Cup  warning to their  rivals after a ruthless display of finishing saw them retain the high stake IBB Cup  title at the expense of arch  rivals, Kaduna Kakuri at the Minna 2016 polo tournament

EL-Amin defeated Kakuri in a thrilling final at the foremost IBB Sports Complex venue of the prestigious annual polo festival, to claim their 16th IBB Cup crown and head into other tournaments in the national tour full of confidence.

Just as the physical Kakuri  appeared to have taken control of the contest, the reigning champions who were not prepared to take prisoners  and risk their treasured  title,  came storming back with three quick fires  from the  “Big Chairman” Mohammed Babangida, Bello Buba, Ibrahim Mohammed and Aminu  Alhaji  that saw them reclaim the initiative and pull clear.

Babangida was understandably delighted with EL-Amin’s first major win this year against their great rival, which sets them up nicely for a possible Georgian Cup curtain-raiser against Kakuri at the Kaduna international polo tournament holding at the legendary Murtala Mohammed in November.

“The IBB Cup and Minna annual tournament is a major part of our build up towards other high goal tournaments and to win the event’s biggest prize and General Abdulsalami Cup as well, before our teeming supporters who travel from across the country to cheer us, is a major plus,” Babangida said.

“We will now go back home and savour this victory, ther after  it will be back in camp to focus on our future tournaments. We know that it is not going to be easy but we have the chemistry and what it takes to come out clears.”

 “I feel great to realize how much joy one’s effort has positively impacted the lives of the teeming polo enthusiasts across the country and Minna in particular. Their support and believe in EL-Amin has always been the driving force and I want to dedicate these victories to our teeming fans,” Babangida declared.

As the festival climax with pomp, it was not too surprising that at the end of the competition that threw up plenty of anxious moments, the prizes were evenly shared by the big four, with Kaduna EL-Amin smiling home with the juiciest part of the pie.

Minna Air Peace won  their first Governor’s Cup, while Katsina Danmarina got their wish, defeating a determined field to clinch the General Hassan Cup. Michael Ogolo led  Port Harcourt Octopus Clan carted home a  royal polo crown, the coveted Emir of Minna cup

Governors Bindo, Bello and , Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF)  President, Francis Ogboro were led by HRH Highness, the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Farouk Bahago, to give  out prizes to the winners at the colourful closing ceremony.

Rubicon Edge out Trademark @ Unity Polo’2016 Final

Aviation Minister, Senator Hadi Sirika, Minister of Defence, General Dan Ali and former governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Lawal Kaita were among the high profile dignitaries who the Unity Polo Tournament’2016 that climaxed  with Abuja Rubicon emerging the top winners.

Unity polo tournament has for the past seven years been hosted by Guards Polo Club to mark the return of democracy in the country in 1999.

 “This edition was undoubtedly one of the most exciting in the series and we must give credit to the organizers, sponsors and partners like MTN whose support to the tournament ensure the successes of the tournament that has grown to become the biggest polo event in Abuja,” Senator Sirika declares.

Expectedly, MTN Unity Polo’2016 rumble that was in its seventh edition showcase the best of Nigerian polo and at the end of a weeklong fiesta, Defending champions, Rubicon, edged Trade Mark 6 – 4 1/2in a closely fought final game, to retain the President’s Cup .

The battle for the medium-goal Guards Brigade Trophy that pitted eight equally matched teams was won by the rampaging Almat Group team that scored a record 26 goal in an impressive campaign, leaving the hard fidgeting Dattaku side to settle for a runner-up finish.

It was an all local derby affairs in the low-goal Guards Challenge Cup with four Abuja based teams jostling in a round robin format that ended with DY Farms team and Alhusna Travels side finishing winners and runners-up respectively.

“We are particularly indebted to our numerous sponsors and partners l for their unflinching supports that ensure the successful hosting of this prestigious polo tournament,” Abuja Guard Polo Club Chairman, Senator Jubril said in his closing remarks.