An exhilarating conclusion to the 2022 Jos Winter Polo Tournament at the Gen. Usman Katsina Polo Ground last weekend featured an intriguing match-up between the two high-goal teams and a handful of medium and Low-goal teams was expectedly exciting and historic.
The outcome came down to the final game, with four times defending champions, Jos Malcomines extending their dominance with a fifth Governor Cup , beating Keffi Ponys to the title.
Meanwhile, the Fifth Chukker team from Kaduna defeated the Lintex team from Abuja for a third place finish.
It was a thrilling encounter as top Nigerian and foreign professionals displayed awesome skills to the delight of the crowd including Governor Lalong, first class Emirs of Bauchi, Wase, Dass, House of Reps. deputy speaker Ahmad Idris Wase and thousands of polo buffs.
“We really clicked as a team. Each one of us knew where to go during a play and kept our cool throughout the tournament. We had a lot of fun and never let ourselves get down if a play didn’t go our way.” declared Malcomines Patron, Murtala Laushi.
“To defeat a great side like Keffi Ponys was not easy. I’m proud of our team spirit and determination. It was a great moment for us to be able to hold back highly motivated players who were bent on revenge and winning the high-goal title,” added the elated Malcomines Captain Hamisu Buba.
Other teams that carted home laurels include Kaduna Trappco that outpaced all comers to clinch the Imani Cup. The Haske & Williams team from Yola finished runners-up in the Imani Cup chase.
The Nigerian Army polo team that won one of the major titles of the Carnival Polo Tournament in Abuja late last year, are still firing from the hips as they gun down top contenders to win the President Cup, while Red Crown were runners-up winners.
Home crowd favourites, Babale Farm team gave their numerous supporters plenty to celebrate after defeating top contenders; to win the NASCO Cup. CSP Usman Michika led the Police team enjoyed podium finishes as NASCO Cup runners-up winners.
Off the pitch, President of Jos Polo Club and Chief Host, Governor Simon Lalong who commissioned the new Club House, has pledged more support for the noble game that has played a pivotal role in peace restoration efforts of his administration.
Corporate and Communications Advisor, NASCO Group, Haroun Audu, who described the event as the best in years.
“Annual Jos Polo Tournament is an important plank through which the worldview of oneness, inclusion, hard work, resilience, excellence and fair play, can be best mainstreamed into the lives and consciousness of the youth,” he said. “NASCO’s almost half a century dedication in supporting sports, and the game of Polo in Jos Plateau State and across Nigeria, is thus aimed to amplify the values of love, togetherness and devotion to bring out the best of our shared humanity, particularly amongst our young people.”