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Excitement, As MTN Polo Tourney Ends In Yola

By Gowon Akpodonor
23 October 2015   |   11:14 pm
For over 83 years, the lush green turf of the legendary Aliyu Musdafa Polo ground in Yola, Adamawa State, has played host to the prestigious Yola Polo grand slam. But it was a different gathering this time when the 2015 MTN Yola International Polo tournament was staged at the venue. And for the majority of…
Action at the just concluded MTN Polo tournament in Yola

Action at the just concluded MTN Polo tournament in Yola

For over 83 years, the lush green turf of the legendary Aliyu Musdafa Polo ground in Yola, Adamawa State, has played host to the prestigious Yola Polo grand slam.

But it was a different gathering this time when the 2015 MTN Yola International Polo tournament was staged at the venue. And for the majority of the participants, including the fans, the tournament was one of the most competitive in recent times.

The weeklong tournament was all thrill and frill for both players and lovers of the game, with Yola Yelwa, Kaduna Kakuri, Bauchi Gabasawa, Katsina Gobarau and Port Harcourt BFC emerging major winners.

Powered by Nigeria’s leading ICT Company, MTN, the tournament brought Yola, the sprawling capital of Adamawa to a standstill as the competing teams jostled for the various trophies at stake.

The competition will be remembered, not just for the brave efforts of the winners, but the gallant efforts of other teams like Yola Fombina, Adamawa Lions, Katsina Dan Marina, BSC and Heritage Bank, who also left their mark.

Two things stood out during the tournament. First was the desire of the Adamawa based teams, Yola Fombina, Adamawa Lions and Yola Yelwa, to clinch the coveted Governor’s Cup, after their poor results at the Lamido and INTEL’s Cup competitions. Beside, Adamawa State had experienced seven years jinx in the Governor’s Cup.

It was a dream come true for the host state, as the quartet of Asharaf Yahaya, Aliyu Dahiru, Ibrahim Mohammed and Umar Modibo won the Governor’s Cup to bring the seven year wait to an end.

In the final of the Governor’s Cup, Yola Yelwa came from behind to tie 6-6 against tournament favourites, Port Harcourt BSC team, forcing the game to go into penalty, where Asharaf Yahaya scored his last chukker to give Yelwa the Governor’s Cup.

Speaking on the victory, Yola Yelwa team captain, Aliyu Dahiru said: “For me, this victory will remain a milestone for the people of Adamawa State. We threw everything into final.”

Secretary of the Yola Polo Club, Usman Saad, also expressed his joy saying: “We are happy that Yola Yelwa was able to break the jinx at last.”

Kaduna Kakuri also won the hearts of the spectators, emerging the second best team at Yola 2015 after winning the Lamido Cup.

For the two Katsina polo teams (Katsina Gobaru and Katsina Dan Marina), it was not a good performance, but they left the tournament with their heads high. Katsina Gobarau defeated a loaded field of eight teams to win the Admiral Nyako Cup, while Katsina Dan Marina finished runners’ up in INTEL’s Cup race.

The Bauchi teams displayed one of the most impressive performances, with Bauchi Gabasawa defeating Katsina Dan Marina 4-3 to win the first INTEL’s Cup, while Bauchi Ubandawaki earned the Admiral Nyako runners-up title.

The Port Harcourt contingent came, saw, but could not conquer in Yola 2015. The teams (BSC and Heritage Bank) left Yola as the one best in the tournament. Led by the President of the Port Harcourt Polo Club, Tony Isodje, both teams did enough to earn the respect of fans during the competition. While BSC lost in the Governor’s Cup final, Heritage Bank was defeated in the Nyako Cup semi.

MTN Regional Trade Marketing Manager North East, Fasa Obazenu, congratulated the winners for their sportsmanship and urged the losers to work harder next year.

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