2018 Keffi Polo Ranch: Osinbajo, Lamido Sanusi II, Al-Makura light up Keffi Open
The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Nassarawa State Governor, Umaru Al-Makura and the Emir of Kano, HRH Alhaji Muhammad Lamido Sanusi II, were undoubtedly the biggest buzz of the 2018 Keffi Ranch Polo Open Tournament that came to a scintillating climax last Sunday.
His groundbreaking participation as Special Guest of Honour, the Vice President who arrived with a long convoy of top dignitaries that included the host governor, ministers, and senators was the biggest official endorsement yet for the annual event.
As the premier polo festival in the state, the international fiesta enjoys the royals blessings from the Emirs of Kano, Hadejia and Nassarawa and host royal father, Emir of Keffi, Alhaji Mohammdu Chindo Yamusa.
The international charity polo fiesta, whose proceeds benefit the development of education in Nassarawa State, pitted sixteen big teams from major polo centres across the country in a weeklong of exciting open-ended polo extravaganzas.
Keffi Polo Ranch proprietor, Honourable Aliyu Wadada who welcomed all Vice President and all the invited dignitaries to the grand finale, told the Special Guest that Keffi Ranch project has archived all its set goals as charity platform that support the less privilege, orphans and education in Nassarawa State.
He told the cheering crowd that the proceed from the polo tournaments as donated to support education and to provide assistance to Orphanages across the state, noting that one of the major objectives of the ranch is to take Nassarawa State tourism to the Next Level.
“I’ve always believed in giving back to the society It’s a huge pleasure to champion the birth of polo here and use the proceeds to benefit the orphanages and education in Nasarawa State and I’ve been lucky my little efforts are yielding results,” Wadada declared.
“Polo has truly come to stay and Keffi Polo Ranch will continue to blaze the trail in empowering the people, impacting positively in educational, social and tourism transformation of the state and the country at large,” he added.
Hosted from November 27December 2, 2018, in largely excellent weather conditions on a superb pitch, the event that holds twice in a year, was a compelling tournament and a grand slam that produced proud winners in major prizes from the low-goal to the very high-goals categories.
Unlike last year where visiting teams dominated, this year, teams mounted by Keffi born patrons, came to the international polo party in full forces, winning three out of the four main trophies competed for.
Keffi Imani, Keffi Ponies, Tila Farms powered by Honourable Aliyu Wadada and Suleiman Abubakar, were proud winners of the President Cup, the Governor Cup and Emir of Keffi Cup respectively.
Visiting Abuja Trademark, Kaduna Fifth Chukker and Bauchi Nadabo clinch the National Assembly Cup, George Coumantaros Cup and Captain Hosa Cup respectively, with the Nadabo needing a sudden death goal by Ibrahim Mohammed, to win their first ever Keffi Polo Ranch title.
The high-goal final for the President Cup and the Governor Cup were two games matchup between former champions, Keffi Ponys and Imani that kept the surging crowd including Prof. Osinbajo, on the edge of his seat from start to finish.
Wadada who scored a thrilling goal in the in opening game and his teammates, Bello Buba, Mohammad Babangida and Hendric Lereux from South Africa pushed their Imani opponents all the way in the fierce five chukkas , but it was the quartet of Suleiman Abubakar, Malik Badamasi, Rabiu Mohammed who stood firm, to emerging champions.
Team Abuja Trademark parading Aliyu Umar, Nasiru Lukat, Malik Badamasi and Lado Aliyu feasted on the cautious approach of Malcomines from Jos to win the medium-goal final, carting home the National Assembly Cup.
The fifth Chukker from Kaduna missed out in the group stages, turned their outsiders chance to gold, beating Trappco Ranch team 61/2—3 in the subsidiary final clash, to clinch the Commantarus Cup.
The Special Guest of Honour, who received an Argentine thorough breed pony as a gift from the chief host, led the Emir of Keffi and other dignitaries to give out prizes to the winners and runners-up at a colourful closing ceremony that brought the curtain down on yet another epoch Keffi Polo Ranch Open festival.
Tournament Manager, Bashir Mohammed congratulated the winners and all participating players, winners and runners-up for their sportsmanship and discipline.
“I want to thank the good people of Keffi and polo buffs for their loyalty to the event and for making 2018 Keffi Polo Ranch Open international polo tournament one of the biggest and the most exciting polo festivals in the country,” Mohammed added.