Activities at all the polo clubs across the country are at feverish heights as teams perfect strategies ahead of the 2019 polo season after the end of the festive season.
The glamorous Nigerian new polo season is set to gallop off with fanfare next week, with the Niger Delta polo festival in Port Harcourt as the opening event on the crowded calendar.
From Lagos to Sokoto, Port Harcourt to Yola, polo clubs have been bubbling with practices and mini tournaments, an indication that the 2019 season would only be one of the most exciting, but most competitive in decades.
In Lagos there were series of Christmas tournament package exclusively for the teams to put finishing touches for the ahead of the Port Harcourt trip. Same with Kano, Kaduna, Abuja and only last weekend, Minna polo Club hosted a mini in honour of their newly wedded captain, Jmailu Kings.
The event that attracted players from Kaduna, Zaria, Abuja and Keffi , was not only grand, but a perfect opportunity for those who could make to Jos, to draw their final plans for the new season.
While visiting teams are upbeat for the trip to the oil rich Niger Delta region, management of Port Harcourt polo club are working around the cloak, to deliver a perfect season opener that lit-up the glamorous national tour that runs from January to December.
Port Harcourt Polo Club President, Captain Iyene Amapakabo who disclosed this Polo Royals, everything is looking good ahead of what would be the most exciting polo tournament in the Rivers State capital city for decades.
He further confirmed that the prestigious polo festival billed to gallop off with fanfare on January 14, 2019 at the foremost GRA polo ground in the Garden City.
Captain Amakapabo, who assured polo enthusiasts a grand celebration in Rivers State, also stated that beyond the sport of polo, the week-long international fiesta would showcase the tourism potential and cultural heritage of entire Niger Delta region.
Tournament Manager, Victor Fingesi told Polo Royals that five major laurels; General Hassan Cup, Access Bank Cup, President Cup, Governors Cup and TY Danjuma Cup, would be on offer during the weeklong battle royals to decide the winners of the Niger Delta polo festival.
With traditional rivals and former champions like Abuja Rubicon, Almat, and teams from Kano, Kaduna, Lagos and Ibadan expected, the high profile polo fiesta, promises to live up to the billings as the biggest polo event in the South South geo-political region of the country.
The expected participation of top Nigerian stars and world-class professionals has already hype the festival to the high heavens as polo aficionados are salivating at the prospect of yet another Port Harcourt high goal extravaganza.
A release by the Tournament Committee, further disclosed that the festival tagged ‘’Peace Polo Tournament’’, would surpass last year’s edition in every scope as traditional sponsors and other benefactors have rallied around the club, to host a successful and exciting festival.
According to the statement, a grand package of entertainment featuring the best hands in the industry, has been put in place for teeming polo buffs, players and invited guests during the festival, while a long list of high profile personalities are expected to witness the event this year.
As one of the biggest Polo approved tournaments and the most prestigious polo carnival in the oil rich Niger Delta region, enthusiasts are in for a special treat as player and horses match talents and wits in what promises to be a weeklong of intense, invigorating polo at the highest level.
From the Garden City, the season will gather steam as its cruise through the ancient city of Ibadan, Lagos and rounds off the southern tour at the exclusive Abraka Turf & Country Club in Abraka in Delta State, with Easter international carnival.
However, due to looming general election, there would a slide change of schedule, with the Lagos international tourney coming ahead of Ibadan tournament that has picked a new date after the national polls.
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