How Max Air triumphed at Katsina Polo Championship

The Max Air team captained by Muhammadu Usman Sarki, Umar Kabir Usman, Lawal Dahiru Mangal and their Argentine professional Player Alaenjandro Pelomake were a delight to watch in all their matches at the recently concluded Katsina polo championship. Propelled by their vociferous fans who cheered them all the way, Max Air carted home two glittering […]

The Max Air team captained by Muhammadu Usman Sarki, Umar Kabir Usman, Lawal Dahiru Mangal and their Argentine professional Player Alaenjandro Pelomake were a delight to watch in all their matches at the recently concluded Katsina polo championship.

Propelled by their vociferous fans who cheered them all the way, Max Air carted home two glittering trophies.

Max Air in their first match in the race for the Nigeria Cup defeated Kaduna Trappco quartet of Mukthar Adahama, Rabiu Mohammed, Ibrahim Mohammed and Nigeria’s most rated polo player Bello Buba  6-5 in a keenly contested game.

Pundits were however divided after Senator Hadi Sirika confirmed his loaded Rubicon polo team that included Jamilu Mohammed, Abdulmalik Badamasi and midfield maestro Hamisu Buba in their quest to cart home their Nigerian Cup title.

The atmosphere was turbo charged for Max Air diehards as the Rubicon Lost 3-6 to the indomitable Katsina Max Air polo team.

The crowning moment Max Air came at the final of the championship after defeating hard fighting the REST polo team 3-1 to add to the glittering Muhammadu Dikko Cup. This was achieved after a thrilling and a nerve wrecking final of the championship.

The highlight of the tournament was the crowning of Max Air polo team amiable patron Lawal Dahiru Mangal as the Most Improved Player of the tournament, the award named after the (Emir of Daura) puts him in the exclusive class of polo players that have won the award in previous polo fiesta.

The contest for the General Hassan Cup was a straight fight between two strong contenders, Katsina IT SEC and Katsina Kangiwa.

Highly improved Suleiman Shema led Katsina IT SEC and Katsina Kangiwa turned the General Hassan Cup into a local derby.

At the end of the local derby Katsina IT SEC Quartet of Tijjani Hassan (Golden boy) Ibrahim Abba Abdulkadir and Kodjo Yusuf outpaced Katsina Kangiwa team made up of Hussaini Kabir Usman, Umar Kabir Usman, Muhammadu Usman Sarki and Ibrahim Babangida to win the late General Hassan’s Cup.

Yola Yelwa Polo team added another national honour to its long list of titles by beating hard fighting Katsina Dan Marna in a tense final to cart home the glittering cup.

It was a tension soaked encounter that kept the crowded stands at the legendary Sir Usman Nagogo Polo ground on their feet from start to finish.

In the highly crowded Coomasie Cup, Wazirin Makarfi and his Kaduna Makblo team gave Kaduna Polo fans something to cheer by overwhelmingly defeating the Nigerian Police I.G Strikers to win the Coomasie Cup.

Other selected matches played during the weeklong tournaments were the Presidents cup, the Governor’s cup, and Usman Nagogo Cup others are Maidabino Cup, Mohammadu Kabiru Usman Cup, and Lawal Kaita Cup for beginners.

The Katsina polo championship which ended on Saturday September 22 amidst pomp was powered by Communication giants MTN, and other co sponsors like Katsina State Government, Katsina Emirate Council, Liyafa Palace Hotels, among other very important indigenes of the State.

Eminent personalities among them the Emir of Katsina, who is also the life Chairman of the Nigerian Polo Federation, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabiru Usman, the Emir of Daura, Alh. Faruk Umar Faruk, President Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF), Mr. Francis Ogboro and General M. A. Garba rtd, as well as the representatives of the Lamido of  Adamawa, Emirs of Zazzau and  Bauchi among others graced the closing ceremony.