THISDAY

Polo: Blue Jacket Award Highlights Georgian Cup Centenary Celebratio­n

-

The biggest off the pitch highlight of the celebratio­n of the centenary of the oldest polo cup in the world, Georgian Cup, was the Legends Award Gala that paraded impressive awardees who were unanimousl­y thrilled by the honours from both the Kaduna Polo Club and title sponsors, First Bank Plc.

They were recognized for their immense contributi­on to the myth and the popularity of the Georgian Cup.

Those decorated with the Blue Jackets on the night of legends include Nigeria’s top rated profession­al, Bello Buba who has won the Georgian Cup a record 18 times, Bala Shehu Shagari, Amani Idi, Mohammad Babangida, Kashim Bukar, Adamu Yaro and Dawule Baba.

Others include, Senator Hadi Sirika, Ibrahim Mohammed, Jamilu Mohammed, Babangida Hassan and the President of Kaduna Polo Club, Suleman Abubakar who has won the cup four times with three

DT Force 1-3 Plateau Utd K’ Pillars 0-0 Wikki Heartland 1-0 Jigawa Stars IfeanyiUba­h 0-0 Lobi Stars Rangers 0-2 Akwa Starlets W’Wolves 0-1 Rivers Utd Abia Warriors 1-0 MFM Enyimba 2-0 Adamawa Utd Katsina Utd 2-0 Sunshine Akwa Utd 1-1 Nasarawa Utd

Sheffield It’s

3-3 Man Utd different teams. The Blue Jacket recipients were particular­ly elated about the award, urging Kaduna Polo Club to make the award ceremony an annual event as an encouragem­ent that would propel upcoming and future generation­s to aspire to the top in their polo careers.

In recognitio­n of the centenary anniversar­y of the mythical Georgian Cup, Kaduna polo boss, Abubakar said: “I am proud and humbled to celebrate this wonderful landmark which would not have been possible without the efforts of our esteem sponsors like First Bank, and others, the polo fraternity and the public that supports us.

“Through the last 100 years, what has remained consistent is the high standard of polo that we have witnessed being played at the club and the commitment of everybody involved. You have all exceeded expectatio­ns and have played a crucial role in our success.

“I look forward to many more exciting years of polo and on building the mutual trust and friendship among the polo fraternity that we share,” Abubakar enthused in his closing remarks.

Excitement started building for the awards a year ago when the countdown to the centenary of the oldest polo cup in the world was announced by Kaduna Polo Club.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Nigeria