Niger Delta’2013 Polo Highlights Port Harcourt Centenary

The just concluded legacy edition of the 2013 Niger Delta international polo tournament that highlighted the centenary celebration of the Garden City of Port Harcourt has left in its roaring trail many memorable legacies, which would captivate polo buffs across the world for a long time.

 As the biggest festival in the month-long  festivities commemorating the founding of the River State capital city in 1912 by Lord Lugard, the legacy polo fiesta lived up to its cutting edge competition, thrills and excitements, with host Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Katsina carting home top honours.

 After eight days of bumper-to bumper polo actions pitching 28 top teams from across the country with all the big names in the noble game of kings, Port Harcourt Rubicon gave the home fans plenty to celebrate, wining the event’s biggest laurel, the General Hassan Katsina Cup.

The Senator Hadi Sirika powered Rubicon parading Idris Badamasi, Malik Badamasi Jamilu Mohammed and their South African import, Grey, set the winning mood for Port Harcourt teams in the top international fiesta, upsetting defending champions, Kaduna Profile.

Spurred on by Rubicon’s commanding performance as the first Port Harcourt team to win the biggest prize since the inauguration of the festival in the early 1970s, the Tanko Ayuba led Octopus Clan  defeated Zaria MTN in the final, to add the T.Y Danjuma Cup to host Port Harcourt.

Their ambition of clinching a hard trick was halted by Kaduna Danmarina Ibako warriors who clinched the event’s second most wanted polo prize in the Niger Delta, the President Cup, while Katsina Sultana Farm earned their first major title, carting home the Governor’s Cup.

The Kaduna side boosting Bello Buba, Ibrahim Abba, Ibrahim Kontagora and Muhammedu Serirki had to dig deep into their wealth of experience to edge Port Harcourt Bankole Foundation powered by the former House of Representatives Speaker, 3-21/2 in a nerve President Cup final.

Governors Cup showdown that attracted seven highly ambitious teams came down to the wire as the debuting Katsina Sultana fought till the last minute of the explosive duel to beat Port Harcourt Rubicon (2) 4-3 for their first Niger Delta polo title.

Other winners in the international polo fiesta that galloped off the prestigious Nigerian polo season include Dimeji Bankole who won the MVP award and the Port Harcourt Polo President, Ibifiri Bob Manuel who led his Bob Manuel Construction team to win the Telavberas Cup. Nigeria’s top rated Bello Buba and Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF) scribe, Baba Kyari also wrote their names in gold after powering the Telavaras to win the coveted Niger Delta Peace Cup, just as Tella Atoni led Presidential Hotel team won the Roland Cookey-Gam Cup.

The NPF President, Francis Ogboro who co-hosted the international polo festival with the Rivers State Governor, Right. Honourable Chibuike Amaechi was full of praises for the players for showcasing their awesome talent in a most friendly atmosphere.

 Ogboro also hailed the management committee of Port Harcourt Polo Club for spearheading the spread of the king of games in the region and for providing first class facilities which ensures that club is rated as one of the top hundred polo clubs in the world.

The fact that tourists from abroad and polo enthusiasts from other parts of the country attend this festival annually; attest to the immense tourism and social values of the exciting game of polo in the oil rich region and Nigeria.

Yakowa Tears Flood Kaduna’2012 Polo Festival

The prestigious Kaduna” 2012 international polo tournament that attracted a record 36 teams this year was cruising to its traditional pomp and pageantry grand finale when the unthinkable happen. Nigerian polo has lost one of its great benefactors, Sir Patrick Yakowa in a most shocking circumstance.

What started as a rumor discussed in hush-hush tones, turn a hunting nightmare when the Kaduna State Deputy Governor Alhaji Ramalan Yero who joined other dignitaries for the Georgian Cup finale, left the Murtala Mohammed Square venue of the festival suddenly.

Within minutes, the whole arena was in turmoil, rendering the Georgian clash between holders, Kaduna EL-Amin and the ambitious Rubicon from Abuja, completely irrelevance. Almost everyone was on the phone trying to come to terms with the tragic loss of Governor Yakowa who was the Patron of Kaduna Polo Club, in a helicopter crash in far away Bayelsa.

 Kaduna EL-Amin who had labored from 4-0 down to level up 8-8 in the fifth chukka of the explosive Georgian Cup final delayed their return for the last chukka as the news of their governor’s death hit their pony line.

“The moment we heard the news, the last thing in our minds was the game. I was shocked to the marrow, still believing that it was not true,” declared Bello Buba of EL-Amin. We completed the game absence mindedly, because the death of our governor and the patron of our club was devastatingly unreal.”

Senator Hadi Sirika whose Rubicon won their first ever Georgian Cup title 10-9 in the sudden death decider, race across the field to his car and left in horror. What would have been the happiest day for the polo crazy Senator who had earlier in the day lost his in-law in Kano, was a total mess.

What a day! I can’t believe this. I just lost my in-law hours ago and now this…. This is the worse that has happen to Nigerian polo, since the death of Governor Shehu Kangiwa,” Sirika mourns as he left for Kano that night.

The devastated Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF) President, Francis Ogboro hurriedly called an emergence meeting, while the emirs and other dignitaries left in tears. As the crowd disperses in shock disbelieved, sponsors and hospitality providers hurriedly dismantle their stands as Yakowa tears brought Kaduna’2012 polo to an abrupt end.

“On behalf of my humble self, Trustees, Management Committee and the entire members of Kaduna Polo Club, we express our utter shock and devastating grief at the news of the death of our patron and the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, His Excellency Sir Patrick Yakowa and other prominent Nigerians in a helicopter crash in Bayelsa State.” The club stated in a statement.

“As a mark of respect for his unalloyed support to Kaduna Polo Club, we hereby cancel the on-going Kaduna’2012 international polo tournament,” the statement signed by the Acting President of Kaduna Polo Club, Mohammed Babangida, added.

“As our esteem patron, Governor Yakowa was expected as the Chief Host at the grand finale of Kaduna’2012 tournament where President Goodluck Jonathan was expected as the Special Guest of Honour. His death is as painful as it was unexpected,” Babangida mourns

“The vacuum created by the demise of Governor Yakowa and these notable Nigerians will be difficult to fill. Our hearts go his immediate family, the good people of Kaduna State and Nigerians generally, as we grief this national loss,” the statement continue.

“Babangida who described Yakowa’s tragic death weeks after the Kaduna polo club lost its Life President,  Alhaji Hassan Hadejia, as one too many. He prayed for the repose of the souls of all who died in the Bayelsa crash.

“May the Almighty Allah in His infinite mercies grant the gentle soul of our dear patron and others who perish with him, Eternal Rest.,” the statement concluded.

Others who expressed shock at the sudden death of Governor Yakowa include the NPF President, Francis Ogboro who was earlier that morning returned for another tenure, former Speaker of House of Representatives, Right Honourable Dimeji Bankole, Honourable Aliyu Wadada,  Aliyu Musa of MTN and NPF Secretary Mohammed Kyari, among others.

Three major cups had already been decided before the legendary Murtala Mohammed square was turn into ocean of tears. Debutant and former House of Reps. Speaker, Honourable Dimeji Bankole won his first major polo title in Kaduna, carting home the Emir of Katsina Cup with his Bankole Foundation side.

NACHO Cup holders, Kaduna Safaz Shelters successfully defended the medium-goal title they won last year. The Shuaibu Zakari powered side parading Bello Buba, Abdullahi Danjuma and Umaru Ahmedu out paced four other oppositions, to retain the prize.

 Honourable Ibrahim Kontagora’s Ibako Subline came from behind to beat Kaduna Trappco in the Emir of Katsina Cup second place final, while Katsina Danmasani lost ½-3 to Safaz to pick the NACHO Cup runners-up title.

Some of the prestigious cups that were not decided before the shocking news include the EL-Amin Cup, MTN Cup, Sardauna Cup, Shehu Kangiwa Cup, Kere Ahmed Cup, Veterans Cup and Beginners Cup, among other selected prizes.

Presentations of Prizes at the just concluded Abuja Carnival Polo '2012 Tournament.

Rubicon, Mailambu Rule Abuja Carnival Polo’2012

The prestigious Abuja Carnival Polo that has been the hallmark of the glamorous Abuja Carnival for years now, has again highlights the just concluded Abuja’2012 Carnival with its pomp, pageantry and unparalleled excitements.

 After two weekends of top class polo and nerve wrecking competition, the polo fiesta that attracted top teams from across the country climaxed in a cliff hanging fashion with the organizers needing an extra mathematical inference to separate the winners.

Thanks to the close competition that dominated the polo fiesta, the results all the four major prizes at stake were so close that winners only emerge on the last chukka of the finals.

Abuja polo top playing side, the Rubicon who won the high-goal prize, needed a goal difference to edge Bankole Foundation boosting Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole, Abdulmalik Badamasi, Hamisu Buba and Mamuda Shehu to the second place.

Playing without their patron, Senator Hadi Sirika, the Rubicon squad of Idris Badamasi, Bashir Dantata, Baba Dawule and Jamilu Mohammed who forced newcomers, Bankole Foundation to a 3-3 draw in their opening game, labored to a slim 61/2-6 victory over the top firing Keffi Ponys with Honourable Aliyu Wadada, Bello Buba, Ibrahim Mohammed and Rabiu Mohammed on duty.

To claim victory, Rubicon had to wait anxiously through the five chukkas final between Keffi Ponys and Bankole Foundation which ended 51/2-5 in favour of the former Speaker House of Reps and his boys. Rubicon however carried the day, having scored more goals 91/2 to Bankole’s 81/2.

 The final standing in the Intermediate Cup where Adamu Usman powered Mailambu Global team won their first major title in Abuja, was no difference. With three equally matched teams, Al-Barak, Road Consultancy ltd. (RCL) and Mailambu Global locked in the final, it took the an ingenuity on the part of the organizers, to separate the winners.

Mailambu which had drawn Al-Barak in their opening game and secured a slim 4-3 victory over the RCL Boys, had to wait for the outcome of the Al-Barak versus, RCL game to know their fate.

Adamu Usman and his Boys who watched the tense final from the edge of their seats were all squared with the same number of goals and wins, after Nasir Lukat, Baba Dawule, Hamisu Buba and Muktar Adahama in RCL colours lunched a last chukka rally to upturn Al-Barak 7-6 in the last seconds of the tense final.

The rules did not make for extra chukka, so the organizers had to dig deep into their rules book to pick Mailambu as winners over RCL on a Head –to- Head format. Mailambu foursome of Musa Ibrahim, Idris Badamasi, Lado Aliyu and their patron Usman, had earlier defeated RCL in their second game.

The low-goal cup that pitted four teams saw the Auwal Ibrahim led FCDA side parading the trio of Baba Duna Kaloma, Husseini Ahmadu and Ahmed Sani running out the winners. The Abuja Boys edged the ambitious Revolve team boosting Aliyu Umar, Nasiru Lukat, Danlami Lawal and Mohammed Banka to the second place.

The medium-goal title that featured three arch rivals was another trench war as Al-Barak, RTC and ASI team stake huge claims to the glittering cup in their quest for the carnival laurel.

At the end, it was ASI parading their patron, Aminu Iya, Ibrahim Kure, Ado Madawaki and Abdulmalik Badamasi who made it to the top, reminding the capacity crowd that witnessed the fiesta that ASI is a team to watch out for in the high profile Nigerian polo circuit.

They turned back the quartet of Mustapha Sheriff, Hamisu Buba, Ibrahim Mohammed and Mustapha to the second place finish. The Sadabi team pivoted by the enterprising Udeme Etim and relying on the experience of Ibrahim Paki, Muktar Isa and Jemil Dawoodu finished third.

Guards Polo Captain Mustapha Junaid, who described the tournament as a huge success, thank all the players, the invited guests and the teeming polo buffs who arrived Abuja in their droves for the festival, for their support in making the fiesta a memorable one.

“On behalf of the Tournament Committee and the club management, let me assure all who made this event the highlight of the annual Abuja Carnival, that next year would be much bigger and more exciting,” Junaid added.

The glamorous Carnival polo fiesta was hosted by the Guards Polo Club and backed by the FCT and other benefactors.

Nigerian Polo Federation Goes Corporate

The ambitious drive give the ever popular Nigerian polo a new face by the Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF) has hit another milestone with the issuance of Certificate of Incorporation (CoI) to the game’s ruling authority by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Thanks to the commitment of the Francis Ogboro led NPF, the profile of the noble which celebrated its centenary eight years ago, made a splashing return to the international arena with Nigeria’s participation at the 2011 Polo World Cup Playoffs in Malaysia.

Since that global outing, the noble game of kings has been breaking new grounds and the latest development which has received the approval of the corporate world will go a long way to open more opportunities to the game that has reposition its as one of the biggest corporate sports globally.

The CoI which was issued November 14, 2012 listed seven great Nigerians who have made their marks in the development of polo as the duly appointed Trustees of the Nigerian Polo Federation. The certificate was signed and sealed by the Registrar of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Bello Mahmud.

The incorporated Board of Trustees of the NPF has Alhaji Lawal Kaita as the Chairman. Other members of the board are, HRH Alhaji. (DR.) Muhammadu Barkindo Mustafa,CFR, The Lamido of Adamawa, Brig.-Gen. Oluwole Rotimi (rtd), Brig.-Gen. Mobolaji Johnson (rtd) Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, Marafan Sokoto, Alhaji Ahmed Joda, and Maj.-Gen. M.A. Garba (rtd)

A release issued by the NPF Secretary, Mohammed Baba Kyari, expressed gratitude to the Life Chairman of NPF, His Royal Highness Alh. (Dr.) Abdulmumuni Kabir, for his unflinching support. The release also single out NPF President Francis Ogboro and Barrister Eddie Onah whose persistent pursuit of this objective, saw to its fruition.

“We give thanks also to all member clubs of the NPF and indeed each and every player, member and lovers of polo, for their support, patience, perseverance, steadfastness, commitment, confidence and trust to see us through to this day.” The scribe stated.

“Avery special thanks must also go to our much respected and worthy members of the Registered Board of Trustees of the NPF who in the interest of the sport of polo took up the challenge, endorsed the effort and actively participated in the process that made this possible,” Kyari added.

The widely circulated release also urged all polo patrons, players, individual and corporate benefactors to continue to strive and build upon the development of the noble game of polo here in Nigeria as well as internationally.

“We must look forward to participating once again in the forthcoming FIP World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016 where polo will once again be an Olympic sport having been removed from the official programme after the 1936 Summer Olympics.”

While the Nigerian sporting world has been buzzing about this development, the Sports Ministry, National Sports Commission and the Nigerian Olympic Committee, have all thrown their weights behind NPF in its avowed determination to give Nigerian polo a new face. 

The incumbent President, Francis Ogboro who has been unanimously endorsed for a second tenure, had while taking over the mantle two years ago in Kaduna, promised to reposition the game.

“The first thing I say to the Nigerian polo family in accepting their charge to lead the Nigerian Polo Federation, is to rededicate myself and all of my colleagues in the team to the service of polo,” Ogboro had declared in his Acceptance Speech.

“And my task, my mission, my commitment to the Nigerian Polo Federation is to lead it to the achievement of all of the opportunities and to promote polo in Nigeria and reposition the Nigerian polo globally.”

“The game of polo by reason of its rich and esteem history, its great capacity and the camaraderie, sportsmanship and dedication of  the players, stands on the threshold of a new era of great achievement.”

“This is a special game that fosters unity, confident, team spirit and discipline. Polo is a great sport that can achieve anything it wants if we all set our minds to it. And no polo player should ever shrink from a passionate belief in the ability and the capacities of this noble game to reclaim its past glories in Nigeria.”

“The rest of the world sees us as great sportsmen, a united family and today you the players by your decision have declared yourself confident and hopeful about polo’s future, “Ogboro had concluded.