2017 Katsina Polo: Nigerian Cup, General Hassan Cup spread jitters
Aboard member of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Col. Samuel Ahmedu (rtd) on Saturday said that he was elated with the D’Trigress’ victory against Mozambique at the ongoing Afrobasket tournament in Mali.
The Nigerian side defeated Mozambique, 80-69 in their opening game at the ongoing competition which dunked off Aug. 18 in Bamako, Mali.
Reacting to the victory, Ahmedu said that winning the first game, which is usually more difficult especially against a very tactically sound team like Mozambique, was something to be happy about.
Ahmedu, who is a high ranking FIBA Technical Commissioner, described the Mozambican team as a well-oiled machine despite being at the early stage of rebuilding their team.
“We are happy that we won. It doesn’t matter, whether it is by 11, 5 or 3 points, a win is a win. It’s good to start well.
“At a stage we were running away with 17 points but they fought back in the last quarter in a desperate mode and reduced it to 11 points,” Ahmedu said.
Ahmedu, who is also the international representative on the Musa Kida- led NBBF board, revealed that apart from the results, he noticed that the girls were in the best physical conditions.
“The major positives that I have taken from this game are that even at the end of the game, it was obvious that our team could go another half.
“We have not left everything on the court, we just played to win and we trailed only once throughout the game. It shows we have the staying power and we have so many offensive weapons.”
Ahmedu described D’Tigress team as one that can go physical if situation warrants.
“We have physical players like Aisha Mohammed, Cecilia Okoye and Evelyn Akhator but above all, we don’t let our strength determine our game, we try to let our skills determine our game.”
Ahmedu added that it was good to be physical so that the team will not be intimidated in a situation where their opponents decide to go hard and tough on the court.
In other results decided on match day one, defending champions Senegal beat Guinea 105-39, Cote D’Ivoire defeated Central African Republic, 104-57.
Angola edeged Cameroon, 78-56, host Mali trahsed Tunisia, 86-48.
The Nigerian Cup and General Hassan Cup, two of Katsina polo most prestigious prizes are again at the center of a massive build-ups and speculation frenzy as the 2017 Katsina international polo tournament blasts off on a blistering note yesterday (Saturday).
Not for the first time these two titles are racing up the billing as the tournament’s star attractions because of their cutting edge staple of dramatic robustness and heart stopping flourishes, the exact recipe that turns it on for polo fans who throng the Sir Usman Nagogo Polo Ground in their thousands.
The prestigious Nigerian Cup which remains the premier trophy in Katsina for almost a century now, and one of the four grand slam prizes in Nigeria Polo, ranking in popularity with Georgian, Majekodunmi and Emir of Kano, sure has some mystic around it.
What stands the Nigerian Cup out is quite simply. Apart from its pre-eminent position as the first high-goal prize to be competed for every season, what makes it tic is the approach of the teams from Kaduna, Kano and lately Katsina, a commitment no other prize can quite regularly induce.
Though, the General Hassan Katsina Cup is a handicap notch below the Nigerian Cup here, it has consistently pushed more fans and higher spectator value with its allaction vibrancy that easily races the adrenaline and keeps aficionados on their toes.
Already, Katsina latest polo patron and a member of Nigerian Cup winning squad, Muhammadu Seriki has sensationally declared that the event biggest prize would be won by Katsina Max Air.
He would not say which other big prize the host is targeting, but believes the home teams are quite capable of adding Talba and Coomassie cups to their trophy cabinets.
“There is nothing sweeter than wining on home soil with all your fans and well wishers sharing in the joy of victory. But it is far more than that. This time around, we are going for history,” Seriki declares.
“There are plenty of reasons to play for in Katsina. Apart from the fact that it sets you off for the rest of the season, its ambience and the history behind it makes it a must win for any serious polo player or team,” he added in an exclusive chat.
Tournament after tournament, venue after venue, Katsina teams have consistently reproduced their trademark blistering performances. And when it comes to Nigerian Cup and General Hassan’s prize and in front of their surging home crowd, they display zero tolerance to opposition.
This year, the Nigerian Cup warfare is a recast of age long rivalry between Kaduna and host Katsina, as Suleiman Abubakar and his Kaduna Trappco are weighing in to set up a titanic confrontation with two times champions, Lawal Mangal’s Katsina Max Air.
General Hassan Cup race also present another cliff hanging scenario as Tanko Ayuba’s Yola BSC team stakes huge claim to the revered prize against new comers, Kaduna Logistics pivoted by Ibrahim Mohammed.
Other prestigious prizes to be won include the Vice President Cup, The Governor Cup, Muhammadu Kabir Cup, Usman Nagogo Memorial Cup, Dikko Memorial Cup, Lawal Kaita Cup and Maidabino Cup.
With the guaranteed presence of Special Guest of Honour, Vice President Yemi Oshinbajo, former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who is expected to present his cup on the final day and a long list of first class emirs, diplomats and political bigwigs, Katsina polo is a must attend.