The 2022 Bauchi annual polo tournament climaxed with pomp and pageantry last weekend as home teams and the visiting Gold Dust team from Yola shared top laurels.
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 crowd favourites, Bauchi Dokaji team, Bauchi Percentage, and debuting Bauchi Voladora that put host firmly in charge, winning three of the four major prizes on offer.
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Polo Royals report that the event’s biggest prize, the Governor Cup final this year, pitching title holders, Jos Malcomines and Bauchi Dokaji teams, was a nerve wracking duel that went straight to the wire after a 4-4 score line after two epic games.
Hamisu Buba and Fernando Munaz from Argentina accounted for Malcomines scores, while Malik Badamasi, Murtala Aliyu and Lado Aliyu all scored for Dokaji to send the finals to extra chukka. With no winner emerging, the organizers had to resort to tossing of coins that gave Dokaji their first ever Governor’s Cup title.
“It was a great final never witnessed in Bauchi for a long time and I’m proud that as four times defending champions, Malcomines were not defeated on the pitch,” Buba who captained the Jos based champions declared moments after the prize presentations ceremony.
Both Bauchi Percentage and debuting Bauchi Voladora teams won the Emir of Bauchi Cup and Tafewa Balewa Cup respectively in impressive campaigns by home teams that set up unprecedented celebrations across the state.
