The game of Polo PHOTO: fifthchukker.com
It is another year a bigger competition at the Lagos Polo Club, Ikoyi. Yesterday was set aside to intimate polo enthusiasts on what to expect at the biggest competition in West Africa this when 34 teams gather from today to fight for major trophies.
While the 2017 edition was acknowledged as one that introduced a higher dimension to the game of kings, observers believe that going by the preparation put into the event this year, the event is ready to set another milestone in the history of Nigerian polo.
The players have come from all over the world to take part in the competition, which has five trophies for the bravest of them all.
An elated Tournament Director, Seyi Oyinlola promised polo enthusiasts coming to Ikoyi for the event that they are in for two weeks of thrilling polo experience.
The sponsors, led by GT Bank, have gone out of their way to ensure that everybody at the club from today will have a pleasant tale to tell.
Oyinlola commended GT Bank, which is the main sponsor, adding that having gained reputation as the biggest polo tournament in West Africa, the Lagos Polo Club looks forward to delivering great values for the sponsors with the coming on board of Coca-Cola, which joined BUA in sponsoring two of the cups.
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Also looking forward to a thrilling experience, GTBank’s Manager, Communications and External Affairs, Ololade Fadoju pledged the bank’s commitment to the development of polo in Nigeria.
“Our commitment into this tournament remains strong and we are absolutely passionate about the tournament. Polo is a game that reflects the entire attitude that makes human life successful with the exhibition of character, determination, and discipline. In fact, this polo event has been one of the highlights in our calendar at GTBank,” she stated.
Lagos Polo Club president, Ade Laoye said the host club is rejuvenated with the continuous infrastructural upgrade, stressing that the stables were removed for safety of players and horses to go with international standard.
Laoye added that aside its international touch, the coming of teams from Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt and Ibadan in this year’s tournament makes it a truly national tournament to polish the standard Nigerian players.
Lagos Polo Club Captain, Ayo Olashoju disclosed that nine professional players from Argentina, Spain, South Africa, and Egypt would also feature in the tournament. He also stated that 40 matches will be played while the tournament, remarkably, will for the third year running, feature Natalie Alan, the only female player.
The first week billed to run from February 13 to 18 will see teams compete in the Silver Cup, which has eight home teams and six visiting teams, while Open Cup will feature four teams all of which are from Lagos.
The second week will run from February 21 to 25 with seven Lagos’ teams and seven visiting teams battling for the Low Cup, while Lagos Fifth Chukker and Kaduna Keffi Ponys will round off the tournament with a titanic clash for the prestigious Majekodunmi Cup, the most valuable polo title in Polo in West Africa.
Source: G Sport
