The game of polo, popularly referred to as the ‘game of kings’, is no doubt a favourite pastime for some of Nigeria’s wealthy folks. The horses called ponies which are critical to the success of the game do not come cheap and with some usually imported from as far as Argentina. This is besides bearing the cost of maintaining the horses, grooms, trainers and the playing kit as well. The captain of Ibadan Polo Club, Koyinsola Owoeye, the son of Chairman, Governing Council, Lead City University, Ibadan, Prof. Jide Owoeye, highlighted the efforts of the club in bringing the sport closer to the grassroots and many derivable benefits associated with the game in this interview with OLANREWAJU AGIRI. Excerpts…
What attracted you to the game of polo and what do you derive playing it?
My love for the game started in 2006, when during my service year I decided I needed a sport to keep me busy after work. My father had tried to get me into the game, but I always ran from it after a few weeks of training (learning to ride), because it involves a lot of practice and commitment. A colleague of mine, Bola Adeyemi, was already playing then, so after work we would go to the club together, while he was stick and balling, I would work on my riding. Having someone I knew there made it easier. The instant I played my first game of polo, I was hooked, it was just like a drug, I became addicted. To see what these magnificent animals were capable of, what it took to control them while focusing on the game and the ball. The rush is second to none. I am not a football person like most of my friends, although I followed football a bit, polo is more interesting to me; so that’s my game. The pleasures of polo are not only physical or mental; polo is also very good for networking and socialising. In the polo circuit, you meet a lot of people, especially high net-worth individuals, which is good for business.
Is polo a good way to unwind?
Yes it is, although it’s a good all-round exercise, body wise, it is also very calming and relaxing. Playing a polo match is a great way to let off some steam. I can be very competitive, so as long as I play well, regardless of the outcome of the match, I am happy.
How successful was the last Ibadan Polo Tournament held under you as captain of the club?
We thank God, we had no injuries, and the matches went well. We didn’t do too well on the field, we were runners up in two out of our three major cups, but we are working to improve that for next year. So, I can say it was a success to some extent, though I look forward to a more booming one considering the 2014 edition when we had players who come to participate from South Africa.
How was the social aspect of the tourney?
Entertainment aspect of the game cannot be undermined. There’s no way one can divorce entertainment from the game, after an eventful day, one should settle down and relax and socialise with food, drinks and good music. We had artistes, comedians, bands, performers, amongst others, to entertain guests after matches.
Can you give us an insight into the progress being made by Ibadan Polo Club?
Polo has been played in Ibadan, according to records available to us since 1930s. During this period, the club featured consistently in the annual calendar of Nigeria Polo Association, especially in the Annual International Polo Tournament. We have had players from all over Nigeria as well as Ghana, South Africa, Argentina and United Kingdom, galloping and clashing mallets on our field. Polo is played all year round in Ibadan, thanks to the natural fast draining and sloppy field which allows play even after a considerable amount of rain. In our annual tournament, players compete for three main cups, namely: Adeyemo Alakija Memorial Cup, it was presented in memory of our late president, who died in 2009, he was at that time president and a past captain of the club. The Rotimi Cup, presented in 1975 by Brig. Gen. C.O Rotimi who was president of the club from 1972 to 76. Last but not least, our biggest cup, The Ibadan Cup which was presented sometime around 1930 by Col. E.R Petit. It’s also worthy to mention that many prominent polo players in Nigeria today have passed through here, the likes of Dawule Baba, who rose to a handicap of +4 and still remains that handicap till today, Mamudu Shehu currently +3, Ibrahim Audu, Saidu and Amodu Umar, Glory Ubano all currently two goalers. The Ibadan Polo Club was also the first club to host an international team. We have hosted teams from Ghana, South Africa and Egypt if I remember right.
How do you feel when people say polo is a dying sport?
I disagree! There are many countries where polo is played, but not necessarily as a professional sport. The most important tournaments are broadcast around the world. I think the factors affecting the game in Nigeria are the affordability. The game can be expensive and difficult to subsidise. In fact, if you want to be competitive you can’t subsidise it, you need to get the best of everything to have a chance. To play polo, you need a lot of space and the main obstacle for some cities in the country is the lack of available land to establish a club. A standard polo field occupies the same surface as about seven professional football fields.
What are the efforts of the club towards introducing the game to the younger generations?
We’ve been making frantic efforts to take the game of polo to the grassroots by inviting pupils from primary, secondary schools to the club, especially during the tournament to watch and learn about the game. A number of these schools have started horse riding as part of their curriculum or after class clubs. We have quite a number children of veteran players/members playing the game. My children are learning to ride as well, I hope they get interested enough to pick up the game.
Maybe you can enlighten the public more on the game; can you use the same horse for an entire game?
No. A polo game consists of at least four chukkas (periods), which last for seven minutes each. It is advisable to play one horse in each chukka, but a horse can be doubled over two chukkas, as long as they are not consecutive chukkas, the horse needs to rest at least a chukka before its played again. At the high-goal level, players, ideally, will have a fresh horse every period, some might even play as many as three horses in a chukka, and they play up to eight chukkas in some tournaments.
What is a score called and why do the teams change directions whenever there is one?
Goals are scored by playing the ball through the two poles that make up the goal posts or a penalty one, which is an awarded goal. Teams change directions to even the playing odds, same reason why ends are changed after a half in soccer.
