Pictorial Highlights of Kano’2012 Polo: Pix 1: Tajudeen Dantata of Kano Titan in full throttle the last chukka of their Dantata Cup opener against Kano YY during the MTN Kano’2012 international polo tournament. Pix 2: Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (C) in his Danmajen Kano traditional title robes with Kano Polo Chairman Bashir Dantata (r) and Prince Bayero pose with the winners of the Muhammadu Sanusi Cup at the MTN’2012 polo fiesta in Kano.

Titan Sparks Kano Dominance of MTN/Kano‘2012 Polo Festival

The decisive golden goal sail through the post and Kano Titan patron and captain Kano polo Tajudeen Dantata closed his eyes and looked skyward as he celebrate another important victory. Tajudeen has played an inspiring role in all his Titan’s victory memories, and this one was no different.

''Attacking polo has been our hallmark that has fetched us great victories over the years,'' Dantata said, his eyes watering with joy. ''I think the boys understood that believing was the most important thing, and I think they did.''

Wearing the trademark red and blue jersey with the silhouette symbol of their beloved Titan on their left sleeve, the Kano polo kings won the Emir of Kano Cup in a stunning comeback that would dominate media headlines for long.

The much waited MTN International Polo Tournament that took the ancient city of Kano by storm has come and gone, but the enduring legacies of the historic fiesta would remain for long in the mind of thousands who witnessed the grand event and the millions who followed it on the media.

Kano Polo Chairman, Bashir Dantata who had participated in every Kano tournament since 1978 till date, picked the titanic cup final that went straight to the wire as one of the biggest highlights of the grand event that would linger for years to come.

The Kano polo boss who participated in the fiesta alongside three of his sons, Bashir, Abba and Baba described the sensational victory as an apt momentous highlight that truly celebrated the depth of Kano polo and the promise of what the future holds for the club and the game.

One such winner that took off from where they left off two years ago, are the Kano polo reigning kings, Titan (1) who took their attacking polo style record to a new height, winning their first Emir of Kano title since the royal crown was elevated to be the biggest prize at stake in Kano two years ago.

To win the Emir of Kano Cup, Tajudeen and his Titan warriors relied on the spectacular forms of  their South African import,  Duncan Watson who scored the  million Dollar goal against Lagos Machines in the nerve wrecking sudden death chukka to give the champions their hard earned victory.

Pitched against the hard fighting Lagos Machines that boosted the likes of Lance Watson, Bashir Dantata (jnr.), Ahamdu Umar and Ali Birjawi, Titans who had earlier lost their opening game to the Lagosians, fought the battle of their lives, forcing the game to the cliff hanging sudden death with final scores at 6-6.

 The resultant tension soaked sudden death chukka pumped more adrenaline with Titans losing a thirty yarder and Machine throwing a golden chance with just two minutes left on the cloak.

The winning goal that separated the two came in the last gasps attack by Titan, with Watson lashing on a poor pass to score the seventh and the all important golden goal in the last minute of the nerve wrecking final.

Embolden by Titan’s victory, host Kano polo club added two major titles in a commanding performance that highlighted the improved competitive prowess of Kano teams. Returnee Kano Rima powered by Hassan Ghamal defeated a strong field of five teams to win the Dangote Cup, while

Kano YY out paced Titans (2) to win their first Dantata Cup title. The last of the four major titles, went to the top firing Lagos Agad who defeated a record thirteen other teams to cart home the coveted MRS Cup.

Ibadan Club that fielded two teams in the Kano firestorm this year, could only managed MRS Cup runners-up finish after Ibadan Challenge succumbed to the fire power of Lagos Agad in the final.

Other glittering prizes carted home the winners include the Muhammadu Sanusi Cup, Governor’s Cup, General Hassan Cup,  General Abacha Cup Dantata & Sawoe Cup, Beginners Cup  and the Veterans Cup, among others.

Images of MTN/Katsina’2012 Polo Tournament: Pix 1 Alegandro Palomeque and Muhammadu Seriki of Max Air appealing while Hamisu Buba of Rubicon escape with the ball during the Nigerian Cup final game. Polo Pix 2: Captain of Max Air, Muhammadu Seriki receiving the Nigerian Cup from the Emir of Katsina, HRH Alhaji Abdulmumuni Kabir Usman at the prize presentation ceremony in Katsina.

MTN/Katsina Polo’2012: Max Air, Yola, Kaduna Sweep Top Laurels

The MTN/Katsina International Polo Tournament that galloped off the Nigerian polo season came to a memorable climax with host, Katsina, Kaduna and Yola teams celebrating what is unarguably one of the most exciting polo fiestas in Katsina for years.

The glamorous polo festival that is reputed for its pomp and pageantry has been commended for its enduring legacies, has received official thumps-up from the Emir of Katsina, HRH Dr. Abdulmumuni Kabir Usman

The Life Chairman of Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF) singled out MTN for its upper ground in the development of the noble game polo in Nigeria and beyond. He made this declarationin Katsina while hosting the NPF chieftains, MTN officials and the participating players who paid him a courtesy call in his palace.

Emir Kabir insisted that the unequalled involvement of the communication giants in the promotion of polo and sports generally in Katsina State, has helped in enriching lives in so many ways

He expressed happiness at the commitment of MTN to Nigerian sports over the years and urged the communication giant to do more, given the unifying and the diplomatic credentials of sports in Nigerian political history.

“We are happy with MTN for taking the mantle of engaging our youths positively in the area of sports and I would urged them not to rest as MTN stands to gain  a lot by turning our people away  from negative tendencies through sports,” the Pro Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife added.

Earlier, NPF boss, Francis Ogboro had thanked the monarch for receiving the delegation and promised the royal father that the Y’ello brand has come to stay as far as the promotion of Nigerian sports and polo in particular, is concern, both in his Katsina Kingdom and the country as a whole.

After eight days of unparallel excitements and cutting edge competitions, home Boys, Katsina Max Air made history, winning the event’s biggest prize, the Nigerian Cup, one of only four most revered polo titles in Nigeria. The others are the three hundred year old Georgian Cup, the Emir of Katsina Cup and the Majekodunmi Cup.

 Max Air, wrote their names in gold as the quartet of Lawal Mangal, Prince Umar Kabir, Alejandro Palomeque from Argentina and their skipper, Mohammed out paced two former champions, Abuja Rubicon and Kaduna Trappco, to clinch the coveted title.

One other highly celebrated victory at first attempt was recorded by Suleiman Shema’s led Katsina IT Sec team, winning the coveted General Hassan Katsina Cup, turning back many times champions and local rivals, Katsina Kangiwa to the crown.

The elated Shema was relieved to see his side sweep past a hugely supported Kangiwa to win their first major polo title played in memory of the late Life Chairman of the Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF).

Host Katsina that was aiming a clean sweep of the major titles, after fielding teams in the four main prizes at stake, could only managed two wins as their flagship team Katsina Danmarina was ousted  by the enterprising Yola Yelwa who won the Talba Cup, while Kaduna Makblow earned their first Coommassie Cup in their Katsina debut.

Other clubs like Port Harcourt, Zaria, Minna, Bauchi and the Police IGP Strikers  who had arrive the legendary Sir Usman Nagogo Polo Ground with tall ambitions of carting home laurels would have to wait till next year, to revamp their glory haunts in the ancient kingdom.

 “This is a great outing for all our teams. General Hassan Katsina Cup is one prestigious polo prize  Katsina players hold very dear to hearts and this victory will be celebrated till we defend it again next year,” Katsina Polo Club Captain, Dahiru Bagiwa declared.

 “Kaduna was afraid  not to field any team in the race for the medium goal, because they knew we were not in the mood to take prisoners in the explosive General Hassan Cup,” enthused Katsina Polo Vice  Captain, Prince Hussaini Kabir who has been an integral part of the Katsina Kangiwa success story over the years.

The Final game of the Katsina’2011 polo festival was watched by a mammoth crowd that includes His Royal Highness Alhaji Abdulmumuni Kabir Usman, NPF President, Francis Ogboro and other first class emirs from the north.

 Others include representative of Adamawa State Governor, Architect Lawrence Mgbale, members of the National Assembly, captains of industries, diplomats and delegations from neighbouring Niger Republic, Mali and Republic of Benin.

Pictures of the Bayelsa Polo Club Ground Breaking Ceremony

Gov Dickson Puts Yenagoa on Nigerian Polo Map

The quest by Bayelsa State of joining other polo playing states in the Niger Delta region and the growing family of Nigerian polo community which has been on the drawing board for years, took a concrete leap recently, with Governor Seriake Dickson on the driving seat.

Bayelsa capital city, Yenagoa has been on the waiting list of polo playing cities in Nigeria for years, but all that changed a fortnight ago, when Bayelsa State government commenced the process of building a world-class Polo Club as part of efforts to promote tourism and leisure in the state.

The polo loving Gov. Dickson who has already started riding ahead of the first ever polo tournament in Yenagoa, stated that  the desire by  his government to convert the Gloryland Castle to a world-class hotel  and a polo facility, was borne out of the need to create an environment conducive for investors.

“We are very hopeful that investors will soon be trooping into the state for business and sporting leisure.  Expectedly, this will  generate more revenue,’’ Dickson said while speaking at the facility’s ground-breaking ceremony near the Gloryland Castle in Government House.

The governor said the project, when completed, would serve as a sporting facility, particularly for the noble game of polo and also help to drive the development of the state's tourism sub-sector. He said the present administration in the state was poised to build a new Bayelsa through sports, tourism, peace, job creation and wealth.

According to Dickson, his administration attaches great importance to sports and tourism because they both have the capacity to create labour and wealth. “Not only that, both sports and tourism strengthens bonds of friendship among individuals and groups,’’ he added.

The governor said the conversion would also boost  Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the state. He also expressed government’s readiness to partner with the Nigeria Polo Federation (NPF) in developing the noble game of polo, and work toward staging  the first ever Bayelsa polo tournament.

The governor said the present administration would leave no stone unturned in  making Yenagoa and indeed Bayelsa the number one polo destination and the safest state in the country.

With Yenagoa coming on board, the NPF effort at promoting the game of kings in the Niger Delta would have been achieved with Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom states already in the swing of the polo fever.

The Commissioner for Sports Development, Chief Mitema Obordor who was part of that high profile crowd that included Executive Secretary, Baba Kyari and other NPF top shots, members of Bayelsa State Executive Council, House of Assembly members and business chieftains, implored youths of the state to shun cultism, embrace polo and make good use of the various sporting facilities and programmes in the state.

In his remarks, the NPF President, Francis Ogboro, assured the governor of NPF’s preparedness to collaborate with the state government in this historic effort at bring the king of games, polo to the oil rich state.

“This will help to ensure that the game of polo is fully entrenched in the sporting and tourism calendar of Bayelsa State and the entire Niger Delta Region as well,’’ he said.

On completion of the polo club project, Ogboro said the federation would not only participate in its commissioning but would also inaugurate the governor as the first playing member as well as the captain of the Yenagoa Polo Club.

Also speaking, a representative of the Managing Director of the contracting firm, NHD Interbiz Project Limited, Alhaji Nasiru Danu who is a member of Port Harcourt Polo Club, said the Yenagoa Polo Club project was expected to be completed within 90 days.

The Managing Director said that the club would occupy an area of land spanning about 9.8 hectares. He said the facility would consist of a standard club house, playing field, and horse stables as well as grooms quarters.

Before now, Port Harcourt Polo Club which was founded in the early 1970s has been flying the flag of the oil rich Niger Delta region at the various polo tournaments across the country. Port Harcourt was later joined by Abraka Turf Club, the nation’s premier private polo facility built by Prince Albert Esiri in Abraka, Delta State.

The historic Ground Breaking Ceremony also witnessed the presentation of a book entitled “The Great Polo Clubs of the World’’ and the federation’s compendium by the NPF boss, Ogboro to Governor Dickson in appreciation of his passion for the game of kings and  his effort at transforming the state through sports tourism.

The NPF compendium which was lunched last year contains the history of the game in Nigeria and the world, the rules of polo, names of polo clubs and their members in the country, as well as the NPF annual calendar that gallops-off with fanfare every in the ancient kingdom of Katsina which is revered as the home of Nigerian polo.

With new initiatives in Uyo in Akwa Ibom and Jalingo in Taraba, Sokoto working hard to come out of decades of comatose and now Yenagoa, all waiting on the wings to jump into the national train, the glamorous NPF national tour that covers the entire country, promises to be more exciting, more competitive and much more thrilling season for polo buffs all year long.

Bauchi Polo' 2012 Prize Presentation Images