Yola’2017 Polo Festival: Jos, Bauchi, Kaduna, Zaria are Kings Maiduguri El-Kanemi turn head with two prizes
So long, and thanks for making the festival simply magic.” That was the message that rang out as chief host and grand patron of the game of kings; HRH Alhaji Muhammadu Barkindo Musdafa bided participants and polo buffs farewell at the just concludedYola’2017 International Polo Tournament which had a colourful climax last weekend in the Adamawa State capital city.
From the brave blossoms of Maiduguri El-kanemi to the clinical finishes of Jos, the four top winners, internationals polo extravaganza truly lived up to its exciting tradition on the lush green of the legendary Aliyu Musdafa Polo Ground, its traditional home for over 85 years.
Take the participation of star studded Nigerian players, a record setting seven teams from Yola, the race for the Lamido Cup that took off to a flying start, and add that to the impressive outing by Jos, Katsina, Zaria and Kaduna teams who carted home most of the major trophies, then you would see why the prestigious event was truly grand.
At the end of eight days of cutting edge competition and unparalleled excitements, the high profile polo festival climaxed on a memorable, with Bauchi MA, Jos Stories By Ernest Ekpenyong Malcomines, Zaria West Stream Ponies and Kaduna Iyatu Farm carting home the four main prizes.
Pivoted by Bello Buba, the Jos Malcomines trio of Hamisu Buba, Abba Mohammed and their patron, Murtala Laushi defeated their arch rivals, Yola Fombina in drama-filled contest to win the event’s biggest prize, the Governor’s Cup.
Urged on by their surging supporters, Bauchi MA put up a sensational display that earned them their first ever Lamido Cup, edging Yola BSC and Katsina Max Air to the highly revered royal prize.
Max Air made up for their Governor’s Cup woes, defeating Yola BSC to clinch the UNIBEN Cup, just as El-Kanemi gave their fans in Maiduguri plenty to celebrate for winning the Lamido Aliyu Musdafa Memorial Cup and NNPC Cup runners-up finish.
Kaduna Iyatu Farm powered by Honourable Aliyu Wadada defeated five ambitious oppositions to win the glittering Intels Cup, their first major victory in Yola, just as Zaria West Stream Ponies continue their victory run that started in Kano, with the M.C Tahir Cup, while EL-Kanemi and Yola Haske & William team could only managed the Intels and MC Tahir runners-up prizes respectively.
Other top winners in the prestigious fiesta include the Aliyu Dahiru and Asharaf Yahaya pivoted Rest Team who outran the Governors’ Cup winners, Jos Malcomines 8-7 1/2 in a fiercely contested final game of the tournament to keep the American University of Nigeria prize, (AUN Cup) in Yola till next year.
Grand Patron of Yola Polo and member Board of Trustees of Nigeria Polo Federation, (NPF), HRH, Lamido Adamawa Dr. Muhammadu Barkindo Musdaf who gave out the biggest prizes at a colourful closing ceremony, reiterate his commitment to promoting the noble game in the country, and lifting Yola tournament to greater heights.
NPF President, Francis Ogboro who presented prizes alongside the Lamido, hails the major sponsors for its upper ground investment in the youths, congratulate the winners, while urging the runners-ups and others to redouble their efforts in subsequent tournaments.