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.