The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and his counterpart from The State of Osun, His Excellency, Rauf Aregbesola, are among the many dignitaries expected to grace this year’s Ibadan International Polo Tournament, which galloped-off to an exciting start on Tuesday, January 28, 2014, at the Eleyele, Ibadan Polo Ground, Oyo State.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Prince Adeoye Ajibade, the Vice President of the Ibadan Polo Club, who doubles as the tournament’s Chairperson, said, “We shall be having Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as well as some royal fathers. We are also expecting the GOC, 2 Division, Ibadan and other paramilitary personnel, top echelons of the society, captains of industry and the management of MTN.”
Ibadan Briclaink on Tuesday started their campaign on a good note, as they defeated Lagos Kessy by five to four chukkas, while Kano Tripple K piped arch rival, Kano Huawei, three and half chukka’s to three chukkas. In another match, Lagos Obalende defeated Ibadan Jericho seven to four, while Ibadan Lead City defeated Kano Bantek six to four chukkas and Kano Susplan showed their experience in the tournament by amassing seven points, as against five and half points recorded by Ibadan Leo Big to carry the day.
Meanwhile, in the games played on Wednesday, for the Ade Alakija Memorial Cup, Lagos Kessy defeated Ibadan Eleyele seven to three; the match between Kano Hago and Kano Hicck’s, ended with Kano Hago mauling Kano Hicck’s by seven chukkas against Hicck’s two and half chukkas, to win the duel, while Kano Susplan defeated Ibadan Challenge by six chukkas to three and half chukkas in the Brigadier General Rotimi Cup.
The former President of Ibadan Polo Club, Architect Muyiwa Ige, who is also the Commissioner for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development in Osun State, was also honoured during the cocktail party that took place on Tuesday night to herald this year’s tournament. This honour coincided with Muyiwa Ige’s birthday anniversary and the colourful event was graced by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Oyo State, Umar Farouk Alao. In his remark during the opening ceremony, Farouk Alao promised that polo will be introduced to schools in Oyo State, as a way of developing the game at the grassroots.
Widely regarded as a “game of class” which can only be appreciated by people of “class”, polo is reputed to be a sport for royalty, the wealthy and classy people. The game, which continues to receive the sponsorship of the leading ICT Company in Africa, MTN, has no doubt become a hub for sports enthusiasts, captains of industry, politicians, royalty and the crème de la crème of society.
This year’s edition, which will come to an end on February 2, 2014, promises to be more exciting and glamorous than the previous editions, as it features top quality players from Nigeria, South Africa, Argentina and the United States of America. All the teams will battle on the polo ground for various coveted trophies.
Caption
L-R: The Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Umar Farouk Alao and the Osun State Commissioner for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Architect Muyiwa Ige, at the opening ceremony of the ongoing MTN Ibadan International Polo Tournament, taking place in Ibadan, Oyo State.
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