Dantata assures on 2018 Kano International Polo Festival
Kano Polo Club chairman Alhaji Bashir Dantata has held out the promise of unprecedented added value from this year’s Kano International Polo tournament He made this known while interacting with newsmen on a facility tour of the Usman Dantata Polo Ground Kano, venue of the 14-days tournament.
Like the last four years in its rich history, the glamorous Kano event would be decided over two weekends of bumper to bumper polo actions that traditionally attract polo buffs and tourists from across the world.
The first week start of the prestigious polo fiesta gallops –off September 13- 18, while the grand finale second stage will thrill from September 21- 26.
The chairman, who is the younger brother of the legendary Usman Dantata, also assured that the club is working tirelessly to dominate all aspects of the tournament in order to provide a most rewarding experience for teams, players, sponsors and guests.
“We are pushing for the optimal every which way because we intend to restore Kano polo’s pre-eminent pedigree.” declares Bashir.
Alhaji Dantata also expressed visible delight that the rains did come timely to condition the now lush, soft ground that is ideal for the ponies, many of which are argentine breed and unused to harder terrain. Already the Kano Polo Club is undergoing intense facelift with stables being refurbished and the general environment spruced up.
Meanwhile the Kano teams have been preparing in earnest for the confrontation that will pit them against the best from the visiting clubs from Lagos, Ibadan and Kaduna, Katsina, Port Harcourt, Bauchi, Abuja, Zaria and Jos, among others.
Players cast to star in the Dangote Cup have intensified training with their Dantata Cup mates at the Kano Race course, the alternate ground for the players now that the club pitch proper is closed down for proper manicures in readiness for the tournament.
Kano Polo Captain, Tajudeen Dantata agreed with an equally upbeat mood, pointing out that everything is on ground for a most exciting Kano tournament in years. “While it is most important to have a good, accident free tournament it is even better to go home with the prize for all its worth,” added the club captain.
He disclosed that the opening week that feature about fifteen ambitious teams, would pitch low goal players in fierce polo confrontations to decide the winners of the coveted Dangote Cup and the glittering MRS Cup respectively.
The second weekend that would ultimately draw the curtain on the Kano 2018 polo extravaganza will feature high goal players and top rated foreign professionals in the race for the event’s biggest prize, the Emir of Kano and the prestigious Dantata cups.
Visiting high goal teams from Lagos, Kaduna, Ibadan and host Kano have already lay big claims for the newly emirate prize whose final would be decided before a packed arena that would include His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kano, HRH Lamido Sanusi (11).
Other major prizes to be won during the 2018 polo carnival include the ever-vibrant, Usman Dantata Cup, Audu Lukat Cup and the Muhammadu Sanusi Cup and the Murtala Mohammed Cup.
Dignitaries expected to grace this year’s tourney include the Vice President, Pro Yemi Osinbajo governors of neighbouring Jigawa, Zamfara, Katsina, Bauchi and Kaduna states respectively, National Assembly members and captains of industries.
Last year, the parade of Kings that spread excitements across the country and beyond, came to a flourishing climax, with teams from Abuja, Lagos, and host Kano, sweeping the four top prizes in an impressive campaign whose memories still lingers on.
Over twenty teams from across the country clashed in the twelve days of unforgettable polo extravaganza that offer a handful of subsidiary prizes, making the polo event one the richest and the most attended galloping fiesta in the country.
Showcasing over 35 games of high class polo that kept the crowded stands permanently on its feet, the prestigious lived up to its traditional pomp and pageantry both on and off the pitch.
By the time the battle weary players and horses make their way home, four new champions were added to the exclusive list of proud winners of the prestigious fiesta.
The Emir of Kano Cup classic that brought down the curtain on the international polo festival was a befitting climax to a hugely successful polo extravaganza, needing a toss to decide the champion, after hard fighting Keffi Ponys battled Lintex to a 6-6 thriller.
Both former champions had galloped of their campaign with 5-5 score draw in their opening game, sending the event’s biggest polo title in Kano, the Emir of Kano Cup to cliff hanging winner-takes- all grand finale.
With visibility fast fading on Usman Dantata Polo Ground venue of the festival and both teams scoring six goals each by the end of the sixth chukka, the organizer had to decide the 2017 Kano polo champion on toss that went in favour of Lintex.