Clouds thicken over 2022 Zaria polo festival

As the Nigerian polo family and enthusiasts of the sport of kings’ warm up for the exciting second stage of its prestigious road tour, there are strong indications that the 2022 Zaria annual polo festival may not take place this year.

As at the time of filing this report, there has not been any official word from the management of Zaria Polo Club regarding the fate of the Zaria event that is revered as one of the most exciting and the oldest polo tournaments in the country.

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Traditionally held during the Easter holiday or a fortnight after, Zaria annual polo event has in recent years, provided a convivial ambiance for the polo fraternity to celebrate the return of the noble game of kings to the foremost Zauzau kingdom.

The prestigious fiesta that attracts teams from all the major polo centers across the country enjoys the royal backing of the Emir of Zauzau, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli and the Emir of Katsina who is the Life Chairman Nigerian polo, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abdulmumuni Kabir Usman.

Polo Royals can authoritatively disclose that for a century now, major prizes on offer in Zaria include the high stake Royal Signal Cup which is the biggest cup, the medium-goal Emir of Zauzau Cup, The Governor’s Cup, the low-goal University Cup and a handful of subsidiary prizes and awards.

Top officials of the game’s governing body, the Nigerian Polo Federation confirmed to Polo Royals on phone that “Zaria was yet to pick their tournament date.”

The officials lamented that Zaria’s hope of securing a date after the Islamic holidays in July may not be successful as almost all the slots for the July-September windows have already been taken. “Bauchi, Abuja, Katsina and Yola are the next in line. “I doubt very much if there would be any slot left for them to squeeze in,” one of the top shots pointed out.