Jos Malcomines produced polo master class performances to become the first team ever to win the highly revered Governor Cup four times back-to-back as the prestigious 2022 Yola polo festival climaxed with fanfare in the ancient city of Adamawa Kingdom last weekend.
The 90-year- old polo fiesta that was reputed as the biggest sporting and tourism attraction in the ancient Kingdom also saw the Yola AFDIN team clinching the crowded M C Tahir Cup, while Kaduna Trappco team hanged onto their opening game win to earn the Lamido Cup.
Murtala Laushi powered miners from the Plateau State who were still basking on the euphoria of their second back-to-back victory as the recently concluded Keffi Polo Ranch tourney, added the American University of Nigeria (AUN ) Cup in a show of supremacy.
In a high profile campaigns that draw massive thumbs up from Adamawa State Governor, Umaru Fintiri who was represented as Special Guest of Honour, Jos Malcomines defeated home favourites, Yola Haske & Williams in the final game of the fiesta to emerge the overall champions of the fiesta.
“It’s unbelievable. I couldn’t describe the first time we won so I don’t know how to put this one into words,” Malcomines patron Laushi said. “It’s an amazing feeling and I’m just so proud of all the boys. It’s a huge honour.
Another sublime achievement saw the rugged Adamawa Waziri Stable team pivoted by Vice-Captain of Yola Polo Club, Aliyu Dahiru and Idris Badamasi overwhelmed their Kano Bichi Farm opponents in the final match to clinch the INTELS Cup.
Also, Yola AFDIN powered by Yola Polo Club Captain, Mohammed Baba, edged out eight determined oppositions, to claim the intermediate M C Tahir Cup, just as Bauchi MMD finished runners-up in the low-goal cup race.
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Indeed, one of the major highlights of the prestigious festival was the inaugural participation of Jalingo Dansola Farm team who also made history as first team ever from Taraba State to compete for honours in the highly competitive Nigerian polo scene.
The Taraba polo ambassadors may not have won any prize in their historic debut, but turned out as the Most Admired Team of the tournament and the toss of the teeming polo fans who cheered all their games with delight.
“It’s exciting. We’ve got some awesome teams this year. Apart from the top teams, we have news faces from Taraba State and most of the participating teams were extremely balanced so it was great fun for polo fans to relish,” Yola Polo Captain, Mohammed Baba said moments after the closing ceremony.
Nigeria Polo Federation (NPF Vice President, Tamko Ayuba and Yola Polo Club Secretary, Usman both hailed all the sponsors and partners of polo for its upper ground investment in the youths and congratulated the winners for their achievements.
“What we witnessed in the past six days, was the very best of Nigerian polo and let me express gratitude of NPF to the Yola people to the state government for its leadership and sustained partnership towards the successful hosting of this prestigious tournament over the years,” Ayuba in his closing remarks.
Polo Pix Caption:
Jos Malcomines ‘ patron Murtala Laushi beams as he receives the Governor Cup during the colourful closing ceremony of the 2022 Yola polo tournament in Yola last weekend.