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.
