Abuja Almat, 12 others chase breast cancer awareness polo tourney prizes
No fewer than 13 polo teams are jostling for two trophies as the 10th edition of the African Patrons Cup polo tournament gallops off at the Fifth Chukker Polo & Country club, Kaduna. Ten teams are drawn for the medium-goal General Hassan Cup whereas three teams are locked in the high-goal Patrons Cup.
For the past seven years this event has also lent itself as a high profile sporting platform to promote breast cancer awareness especially in Northern Nigeria.
In the opening match, Abuja Almat (Idi badamasi; Tijani Aliyu; Nura Suleiman; Rabiu Mohammed) launched their title defence of the medium- goal General Hassan cup in impressive style with a 7-1 1/2 victory over Dokaji Farms (Haliru Jika; Hussaiini Ahmadu; Ahmed Sodangi; Ibrahim Babangida). Four goals in the last chukka crushed any hopes of a possible come back by the farmers who were chasing the game from the start despite their handicap goal advantage.
The second match of the tournament was a tightlyfought affair between GWG Oil (Abdulsamad Rabiu; Sadiq Rabiu; Murtala Aliyu; Kabiru Saidu) and Golding 36 (Ahmad Sada; Buhari Mahdi; Hassan Ramalan; Hamisu Buba). The encounter was deadlocked at 3-3 after 2 chukkas, and remained scoreless after the 3rd. With all to play for in the final chukka, Murtala Aliyu’s early goal for GWG was promptly cancelled by Hamisu Buba who also scored a late winner for Golding 36 to take the match 5-4.
The 2017 African Patrons cup is powered by First bank Private banking and MRS Oil & Gas. The week-long tournament ends on Sunday 15th October.