El-Amin Polo Wins 16th Georgian Cup

By Bashir Bello, Kaduna.

Nigerian Polo Giants El-Amin Polo Club defeated Kaduna Makarfi Polo club 12-4 to win the prestigious GEORGIAN cup at the Kaduna International Polo Tournament final played at the Dawule Baba Murtala Mohammed Polo Ground in Kaduna.
El-Amin Polo Club which is celebrating 30 years in the game of Polo paraded top world class players like Mohammed Babangida and Facundo.
The game started with El-Amin Polo taking the lead in the first chukker of the match which was played in front thousands of spectators and lovers of polo.
Speaking after the game, the Governor of Zamfara State Dr. Dauda Lawal Dare who is one of the special guest of honour commended the organisers and sponsors of the game for a job well done.
He assured that his administration will do everything possible to revive the game of Polo in Zamfara State.
“As a former Executive Director of First Bank, I’m very passionate about the game of Polo and am glad that so far the game has evolved in Nigeria and the Kaduna international Polo tournament is attracting international players around the world” The Governor said.
Similarly, speaking in an interview with Newsmen, the member representing Maru/Bungudu federal constituency of Zamfara State Dr. Abdulmalik Zubairu who holds the traditional title of Zannan Bungudu acknowledged the fact that the game of Polo is thriving in Nigeria, he expressed optimism that the game would attract more sponsors in the coming years.
“This tournament is of international standard I’m happy to be here in Kaduna today to witness history being made” he said.
While speaking on the tournament shortly the final match, the tournament manager Atiku Abubakar Saleh who also holds the traditional title of Baraden Maru congratulated El-Amin Polo for the victory and for celebrating 30 years in the game noting that the game of Polo has come to stay in Nigeria.
“Let me congratulate El-Amin Polo for this victory, it wasn’t easy and the history of Kaduna international Polo tournament won’t be complete without El-Amin Polo” he said.
In an interview with Newsmen and elated World Class Polo Player Mohammed Babangida the Garkuwan Yamman Katsina, basking in the glory of a triumphant display thanked Allah for giving his team the victory at a time El-Amin Polo is celebrating 30 years in the game and capping it up with it’s 16th Georgian Cup.
“I’m very happy to be a part of this history, we have been in the game for a very long time, this victory is for all Polo lovers and our supporters” Babangida said.
“I also want to thank all our sponsors and supporters, this tournament is historic. The players gave their very best and at the end of the game we emerged victorious” He said.
Amongst dignitaries present at the event were the Zamfara State Governor, representative of the Governor of Niger State, representatives of Emir of Zazzau and Emir of Katsina as well as the Management of First Bank of Nigeria PLC and The Nigeria Polo Association NPA.
The Kaduna international Polo tournament featured over 10 international Polo players from around the globe and it is one of Africa’s prominent Polo events.