The Nigerian Navy High Command has lauded the Lagos Polo Club for flying high the flagship of the noble game of polo in the country and providing the platform for the promotion of tourism and cultural heritage of the country.
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Okechukwu Ogalla who the Special Guest of Honour during the finals of the third week of the 2024 NPA/GTCO Lagos Polo Tournament, congratulated Lagos Polo Club on the successful hosting of its 120th tournament that is reputed as one of the oldest polo tournaments in the world.
The Naval boss who hailed the Naval Polo Team for showcasing their skills, sportsmanship and discipline during the tournament, insisted that the Nigerian Navy and the game of polo share a deeply rooted bond that dated back to 1904 when the British Naval Officers introduced the game in Nigeria.
Vice Admiral Ogalla who was represented during the Chief of Naval Staff Cup final, congratulated the winners, Lagos MSD Baby Bear and Runners-up, Golden Alchemy for their sportsmanship and team spirit during the hotly contested CNS Cup.
Recalled that the Navy boss had earlier received delegation of the Lagos Polo Club led by its President, Bode Makanjuola, in his office in Abuja during the presentation of the CNS Cup.
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During the visit, Makanjuola highlighted the significance of the CNS Cup in promoting sportsmanship, excellence, and camaraderie among polo enthusiasts and used the opportunity to reflect the 120-year legacy of the Lagos Polo Club, which has become synonymous with the sport’s tradition and culture in Nigeria.
He emphasized the club’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of the game and fostering international relationships through the sport of kings.
“The visit was not only a gesture of respect and acknowledgment of the Nigerian Navy’s participation and support for the tournament but also a testament to the enduring partnership between the Lagos Polo Club and the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
The Chief of Naval Staff expressed his gratitude for the presentation and lauded the Lagos Polo Club for its commitment to excellence and for being a beacon of sporting tradition in Nigeria. He assured the delegation of the Navy’s continued support for the tournament and the values it represents.
The 2024 Lagos polo festival which would expectedly climax this weekend , has witnessed Lagos-based teams dominating in all the four major prizes at stake and in the other six subsidiary trophies.
Best performers this year include the defending champions, Lagos polo Kings also won the oldest polo cup in Nigeria, the Independence Cup donated in 1914 by the then German Ambassador to be competed for by high-goal teams from Nigeria and Cameroon.
Art Hotel Shoreline, mounted by Bashir Dantata (Jnr.) and Tunde Karim that finished runners up in the Majekodunmi and Independence cups respectively, did themselves proud after outpacing visiting Abuja Rubicon team to win the Italian Ambassador’s Cup.
Other top performers so far include the Trojan Art teams that swept past three other opposition to clinch the Lagos Open Cup, Lagos STL team who emerged champions in the race for the Oba of Lagos Cup.
High-flying Dangote-Kaduna Sublime team, winners of Dapo Ojora Cup played in the everlasting memory of the late Nigerian polo legend and Captain of Lagos Polo Club.