2017 Jos Polo: Malcomines extends Governor’s Cup supremacy
Zaria West Streams, Bauchi MA win top laurels
When polo historians reflect on the story of the 2017 polo season, one team, Malcomines and one name, Murtala Laushi, stand out.
The hugely successful 2017 Jos Peace Polo Tournament that hit Plateau State with a bang came to a thrilling climax last week, with Malcomines emerging the overall champions, extending supremacy as the kings of Jos polo for the four years running.
The prestigious fiesta that further consolidated the return of peace to the Tin City saw Murtala Laushi-led Jos Malcomines defeating arch rival, Yola Fombina in a tense final to defend the Governor’s Cup- the event’s biggest prize, for the third times in a row.
Playing with the full complement of their patron and superior experiences of top rated Hamisu Buba Sadiq Garba, Murtala Aliyu and their patron, Laushi, the Miners ensure the title remains in Jos, easing through the eventual runner’s up, Yola Fombina who boosted the likes of Aliyu Dahiru, Ashraf Yahaya, Hassan and Tanko Ayuba.
Malcomines polo chairman, who doubled as the event’s Tournament Managers led his champions side to cap an outstanding victory season that stretch to Bauchi, Yola and lately Keffi, to add the glittering Tiberius Cup whose final brought the curtain on the prestigious polo carnival.
After a weeklong of top class polo and nerve wrecking competition, the polo fiesta that attracted top teams from across the country climaxed in a dramatic fashion in the medium-goal category, with Zaria West Stream Ponies outgunning regulars, to win the highly sort after President Cup title.
Parading Abdulkarim Jubrin, Jubrin Magaji, Ibrahim Kure and Sanusi Umar, the Zaria Ponies who arrived as title holders, finished with a bang, defeating home favourites and eventual runners-up, Jos Cisse Energy side, for their third major win in Jos.
The low-goal NASCO Group Cup that pitted top rivals Kano, Bauchi and a handful of Jos teams saw the Comrade Aliyu Ilelah-led Bauchi MA outpacing homers, Jos Gingre opponents on goals after a hotly contested final, to clinch one of Jos oldest polo prize, the NASCO Cup.
Captain of Yola Polo, Mohammed Baba led a compact squad to win the Grand Cereal Cup, just as Umar Moddibo pivoted his Profile Group team to victory in the debuting EL-Amin Cup. Jalo Jubrin also share winter polo limelight after leading his warriors to clinch the A.B Galla Cup.
Special Guest of Honour, the Plateau State Governor Barrister Bako Lalong, who was represented at the closing ceremony by the state commissioner of Youths & Sports, Danladi Mang reiterated government’s determination and willingness to invest more in polo game to encourage youths participation in the sports.
President of Nigeria Polo Federation (NPF) Francis Ogboro who led other dignitaries to present prizes to the various winners at a colourful closing ceremony, thanked the Plateau State government, sponsors, players and the surging crowd for being part of the fiesta that has impacted positively on the tourism drive of Jos and Plateau State generally.
“On behalf of Jos Polo Club, I want to specially thank the our sports loving Governor Bako Lalong, NASCO Group, Tiberius Group, and all our sponsors for their immense supports and members of the organizing committee who sacrifice their time and efforts for this grand event,” Laushi declared.
“We are also happy that we have used this tournament to let polo enthusiasts, Jos residents, the business communities and the entire citizens of Plateau State, to know that peace has finally returned to the state as evident by the huge crowd that witnesses the event on a daily basis,” he added in his closing remarks.