As the COVID-19 second wave shows signs of slowing down in the country, preparations are underway to host the prestigious 2021 Ibadan annual polo tournament which was tentatively scheduled for April.
Top officials of the Ibadan Polo Club who dropped this hint, told Polo Royals that the legendary Eleyele polo ground is gradually coming alive with high expectation for what would obviously be the first tournament of the year 2021, with guaranteed sell-out participation.
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He explained that the April date has, however, not been confirmed yet, because the organizers are still consulting with all the stakeholders on the best way towards hosting a box office tournament that would live up to the enduring reputation of Ibadan tournament both on and off the pitch.
“Yes, preparations are ongoing, but the final dates of the weeklong fiesta is still under consideration, pending the outcome of our wide consultations with our traditional and prospective sponsors and partners,” the Ibadan polo chieftain said.
“Already, we have received enquiries from all the major polo clubs across the country that have indicated interest in participating in the tournament that would expectedly be the biggest in years, given its status as the first tournament of the season for obvious reasons,” he added in a phone chat with Polo Royals.
As one of the oldest polo clubs in the country, Ibadan Polo Club nestling on a part of Eleyele Army Barrack was established by the Nigerian Army in the early 1930s whose officers form the largest number of playing members alongside European expatriates and affluent Nigerians.
