Murtala Laushi and his Jos Malcomines team picked up from where they left off last December with a resounding victory at the just concluded 2018 Zaria international polo tournament, their first competitive outing this year.
Malcomines defeated their Bichi Farms Kano opponents, 5 – 4 1/2 in a closely fought final match of the tournament, to clinch the highly revered Emir of Zazzau Cup, the event’s biggest prize.
The victory that crowned the Jos polo kings as champions of the prestigious tournament, took their winning streak to six, having won five major titles in an impressive campaign last year.
Only last December, Laushi and his boys ended the year 2017 season on high, defeating tough oppositions from Zaria, Kaduna, Bauchi and Yola to win the event’s top prize, the Governor Cup on home soil.
The prestigious fiesta that further consolidated the return of peace to the Tin City saw Murtala Laushi-led Jos Malcomines defeating arch rival, Yola Fombina in a tense final to defend the event’s biggest prize, for the third times in a row.
Polo Royals checks revealed that in their quest for polo laurels last year, Malcomines had earlier won top prizes in Bauchi, Yola, and Kaduna and at the Keffi Ranch Polo Tournament in Nassarawa State, in addition to finishing runners up in other national events in the circuit.
Malcomines victory in Zaria last weekend, revealed their commitment to go far in the game of kings and this is not lost on polo aficionados and their teeming supporters, that the miners would certainly be one of the teams to beat this year as the season picks off steams in the coming months.
“We are already focused on what lies ahead. We want to finish off the season as we began it. If you give it your all, a win will feel deserved and a loss won’t hold regret,” declares Murtala who doubles as the team’s Patron and top striker.
“Our experience in Zaria was very beautiful and unforgettable for all the team. It wasn’t only about the wins, but about the hard work and commitment we put in all our games.”
“The game was tight and kano Bichi Farms really pushed us all the way to the final bell but we kept our focus and ensure the scores was in our favour. When that final bell sounded, a whole rush of emotions flooded through me”, he told Polo Royals afterward.
Bichi Farms boosting Abubakar Yusuf, Siyudi Abdulahi, Jamilu Umar and Yusuf Ibrahim had gone ahead in the opening chukkers thanks to their handicap goals, but the Jos quartet of Sadiq Garba, Murtala Aliyu, Hamisu Buba and Abba Mohammed were unflinching in their quest for the Zaria top prize.
At the end of the weeklong of cutting edge competition and unparalleled excitements, the high profile Zazzau polo festival climaxed on a memorable note, with host Zaria winning two of the three major prizes at stake.
Faruk Dokaje – led Zaria Danburam, parading Sanusi Malamai, Aminu Gagare, and Ibrahim Kure defeated Kano AIK to clinch the Isa Kaita Cup, a prize played in memory of the late governor of the old Kaduna State.
Zaria ZAZ Project team gave the home fans plenty to celebrate for doubling the victory haul of the host, eliminating their hard fighting Katsina opponents in the final, to ensure the University Cup remains in the Zazzau kingdom till next year.
President of Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF), Francis Ogboro who congratulated the winners and all participating players, assured that the game ruling authority will continue to support the Zaria Polo Club’s commitment to promoting the noble game of kings that has been played annually across the country for over a century now.
“I want to thank the good people of Katsina, all the players and polo buffs for their loyalty to the event and for making Katsina international polo tournament one of the biggest and the most exciting polo festivals in the country and indeed Africa,” Ogboro added.
Chairman of Zaria Polo Club, Prince Sambo Idris who expressed satisfaction at the turn out and the high level of competitions at the 2018 Zaria international event, said he was looking forward to more excitements in Zazzau Kingdom next year and other NPF sanctioned polo events across the country.
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