El-Amin, Phoenix, dominate 2024 Minna Polo tourney

The just concluded Minna 2024 Annual Polo Tournament which was dominated by El-Amin and Phoenix, lived up to its reputation as the most popular annual sporting fiesta in Niger State.

One of the major highlights at the tournament was the debut of the Phoenix team by the second generation of Babangida polo-playing family who won the Aisha Babangida Cup defeating two oppositions to the prize.

The Babangidas, featuring Zayan Fodio, Tima Mohammad, Khalil Mohammad and Khalifa Mohammad playing their first ever Minna polo tournament in the colours of Minna Phoenix team defeated Niger Fresh and EL-Amin International School polo teams to win their first-ever Minna Polo major trophy.

Expectedly, serial champions and title holders, EL-Amin playing as EL-Amin/Keffi Ponys edged visiting Jos Malcomines polo team 4-31/ 2 in a fiercely fought final decided before a full house including Governor Mohammed Bago, to retain the IBB Cup and the Abdulsalami Cup respectively.

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Other top winners of the week-long polo festival include EL-Amin (1) team that edged their Profile rivals to win the Governor Cup and visiting Iyatu Farm from Kaduna who won the Gen. Hassan Katsina Cup denying host Minna Bago the title.

The Nigerian Army polo teams also gave good account of themselves, shooting down their Minna Profile opponents in hotly contested final to clinch the first ever Emir of Minna Cup, just as Aminu Alhaji captain team and Hadiza Shehu led selected side enjoyed podium finish after winning the Senator Idris Kuta Cup and the Kere Ahmed Cup respectively.

Meanwhile, the Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago has promised to build an international polo complex in Minna to promote the noble game in the state and Nigeria generally.

The Governor who made the promise in his closing remarks described the game of Polo as a diplomatic tool that is full of entertainment and excitement.

The Chairman Minna Polo Club, Mohammad Babangida, thanked all the visiting players for adding glamour to the 2024 edition of the annual event, and congratulated all the winners of the major prizes, urging those who did not make it to the victory podium to try harder next year.