Argungu Polo 2018: Malcomines, NSK, Northbury make history
The ancient kingdom of Kanta was the center of attraction and activities as the Turakin Kebbi, Nura Kangiwa and his NSK Polo Farm hosted the finals of the Argungu Polo Tournament.
The annual polo carnival held last weekend witnessed the investiture of the Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF) President, Francis Ogboro as the new DanDarma of the kingdom by the Emir of Argungu, HRH Suleiman Mera, produced big winners in three major cups categories.
The Turbaning ceremony that preceded the grand finale of the polo festival was witnessed by high profile personalities like the former military President, Ibrahim Babangida, billionaire Abdulsamad Ishakya Rabiu, Bishop Mathew Kukah, Shehu of Bama Kingdom, a high powered delegation from Niger Republic, and mammoth crowd of crème de la crème of the society.
The tournament which swung into action August 1, attracted polo lovers from across Nigeria and beyond and top teams from Kaduna, Kano, Zaria, Jos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and host Argungu parading some Nigeria’s most experienced players and professionals from across the country.
Event’s biggest prize, the Governor’s Cup final decided before a surging crowd that included top government officials business icons, traditional rulers and diplomats was undoubtedly the star match of the weeklong polo fiesta.
it was visiting Jos Malcomines polo kings who extended their winning streak, carting home glittering Governor’s Cup and Dangiwa Umar Cup, their first ever major titles in Argungu, narrowly defeating home crowd favourites, NSK 5-41/2 after an explosive four chukkas confrontation.
Boosting their patron, Murlata Laushi, Abba Mohammed, Hamisu Buba and Murtala Aliyu, team Malcomines who had earlier seen off H-Hago team from Kano in their opening game, came under the firepower of NSK fortified by Layo Aliyu, Jamilu Umar, Baba Kyari and their patron, Nura Kangiwa who led by two goals in the opening chukkas.
Expectedly, the Tin City Boys fought back and draw level in the third chukka and sending the tension soak final to the cliffhanger, with half a goal separating the two combatants who gave their all in the final chukka.
With a surging crowd of over five thousand polo buffs and tourists that included the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Dr. Saad Abubakar, Special Guest of Honor, the Kebbi State Governor, His Excellency and chieftains of the NPF, on the edge of their seats, Jos Malcomines held on to win by the narrowest of margin allowed in the noble game of kings.
Other proud winners of the prestigious polo carnival that served as forerunners for the revival of the foremost Argungu International Fishing Festival early next year, produced other proud winners as first timers, FIRS team defeated three determined oppositions to clinch the glittering Shehu Kangiwa Cup. Kaduna based Shabazz team captained by Ikenna Nebolisa finished runners-up.
The race for the coveted Emir of Argungu Cup that fiercely fought over three days of top polo actions saw the long travelling Northbury team led by Abubakar Kolere and former Port Harcourt polo president, Tony Isodje, turning their outsiders’ chances to pure gold.
Debutants Niger Delta polo lords who were trailing from the first chukka refused to bow, coming from behind to clinch a sensational 5-41/2 win over pre-tournament favourites, Zaria West Stream Ponies in the final.
Elated host, Nura Kangiwa who congratulated all the winners and the runners-up say everything works well as planned, pointing out that the tournament that showcases the traditional cultural displays of the kingdom in good measures, was a befitting appetizer of what to except at the Fishing festival next year.
“I want to thank all our partners, the Kebbi State government, the traditional institution, visiting delegations from Niger Republic and our corporate sponsors for their immense support,” declares Kangiwa, who promised to make the next edition a weeklong carnival, to accommodate more teams.
“I also want to thank all the participating teams for their sportsmanship and the teeming crowd of polo buffs who made the 2018 edition of the NSK polo tournament such an exciting and a memorable fiesta that has permanently registered Argungu as a polo destination to be,” he concluded.
Kebbi State Governor, Sultan of Sokoto, Emir of Argungu, and the newly turbaned Dandarma of Argungu and NPF President, Francis Ogboro, who led other dignitaries to give out prizes to the winners, lauded the NSK Polo Farm initiatives for setting the pace for tourism drive to the northwestern part of the country.
“Kangiwa’s pace-setting initiative to reposition the noble game of polo and tourism in Kebbi State is quite a commendation,” the NPF boss declares.
“I will continue to urge other individuals and corporate organizations to emulate the sterling example of the Turakin, in joining hands to develop the tourism potentials of the region.” Dandarma Ogboro added in his closing remarks.”