Bauchi MA, Jos Malcomines retain top prizes
... As Minna Profile Lifts Emir of Katagum Cup
There were lots of sunshine, rains and spectacular finals but no change of guards as defending champions secured back-to back victories in the just concluded 2018 Bauchi annual polo tournament.
After six days of unforgettable top flight polo actions witnessed by a record crowd of royalties, top government officials, business gurus, diplomats and thousands of enthusiasts, it was the home Boys, Bauchi M A team and Jos Malcomines who ruled the show, retaining the event two biggest titles.
Comrade Aliyu Illelah led Bauchi M A defeated hard fighting Yola Fombina to keep the Governor’s Cup, while Murtala Laushi miners from the Tin City, made good their pretournament ratings, keeping the tournament second biggest prize, the Emir of Bauchi Cup for the second year running.
The much heralded Bauchi polo fiesta also added its fair share of surprises, as new debutants and outsiders; Minna Profile team stunned a crowded field of six ambitious teams, to clinch a sensational Emir of Katagum Cup, their first ever major polo crown in Bauchi.
It was an intensive eight days of top class polo as over thirty top ranking teams converged in the ancient Hausa kingdom to vie for honours in one of the most prestigious polo extravaganzas in the country.
Event’s biggest prize, the Governor’s Cup that annually threw up new winners, was in its full bloom as Governor Abubakar powered Bauchi MA added another feather to their crowded cap, beating determined Yola Fombina for their second Governor’s Cup victory on home soil.
In a grudge finale watched by Bauchi State governor, His Excellency Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, and thousands of enthusiastic polo fans across the country, Fombina who had drawn their opening game 5-5, fought hard in the grudge finale, but two late strikes by Hamisu Buba hands, the home boys a 5-3 hard earned victory. “We watched them (Yola Fombina) in their opening game and knew exactly how to neutralize their attack. Everyone played his role and our concentration and determination paid off at the end despite big fight back by our Kano opponents,” Ilelah explained.
Hamisu who was unanimously voted the Most Valuable Player of the tournament was not done with the high-goal triumph, as he pivoted Jos Malcomines to their second Emir of Bauchi Cup victory. Tanko Ayuba’s Fombina, Kano Bichi, and Bauchi Babban Gwani teams also enjoyed Podium celebration, thanks to their runners-up finish in the Governor, Emir of Bauchi, Emir of Katagum cups respectively.
Secretary of the Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF), Baba kyari and proprietor of Argungu Polo Ranch, Nura Kangiwa, both belief that if Bauchi M A, Jos Malcomines and Minna Profile teams maintain their cohesion, they could be major forces in the medium-goal category where teams from Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Abuja and Katsina are jostling for supremacy.
Other winners of the prestigious 2017 Bauchi polo carnival include Jos Cisse Energy who powered through a minefield of ten teams to clinch the Sarkin Fulani Cup, Zaria West stream Ponys who finished runners’-up.
Governor Abubakar, who was the Chief Host of the festival, described the game of polo as one of the sporting activities for empowering the youths, ensuring peace and uniting people in the society. He expressed satisfaction with the increased number of participating teams at the Bauchi’2018 and hopes to see teams next year for the 2019 edition.
In their remarks, Vice President of Bauchi Polo Club, Aliyu Sambo alongside the Second Vice Presidents, Ali Wanka, expressed delight with the sportsmanship, discipline and peaceful conducts of both the players and spectators. They commended governor Abubakar, Bauchi State Government and the Emir of Bauchi, HRH Alhaji (Dr.) Rilwanu Sulaimanu Adamu, for taking Bauchi polo to the next level.