I’ll play polo till I die – Dawodu

Dawodu who spoke to Trustsports shortly after his team won the Guards Challenge Cup at the recently concluded Abuja Guards polo tournament said the excitement that comes with playing the game is irresistible. According to him polo is a game that tasks an individual physically and mentally as he said it makes one to think […]

Dawodu who spoke to Trustsports shortly after his team won the Guards Challenge Cup at the recently concluded Abuja Guards polo tournament said the excitement that comes with playing the game is irresistible.

According to him polo is a game that tasks an individual physically and mentally as he said it makes one to think continuously.

He said he started as a rider and showed commitment because despite his tight schedule, he ensured that he found time every morning and evening to go for training at the Abuja polo ground.

“I took to polo because of my love for animals and the uniqueness and excitement of riding on a horse. Playing polo is definitely tasking. It takes a lot but you cannot deny the fact that there is so much excitement. You hold the mallet in one hand trying to hit the ball and putting a galloping horse under control at the same time. It is a very competitive game where you are challenged to think continuously.

“Funny enough I have been playing for two years now but I first had to learn how to ride. I used to come every day, come rain come sunshine. I would come at 5.30am and ride till like 8am and then come back in the evening and ride from 5pm till 8pm”, he said.

Dawodu said having won a trophy on its first attempt, the sponsor of his team, UAC would be motivated to continue to sponsor the UAC polo team.

“It’s a great feeling and our sponsors are happy that for the first time they sponsored a polo team in a major tournament and there is something to show for it. We have won a cup in their honour and this is a great feeling”.

Dawodu also disclosed plans by the Abuja Guards polo club to take the game to schools in the FCT.

“We are going to start doing more riding in schools and supporting charities as well. Bring in children from schools and the charity homes to start learning how to ride horses. This would make some of them develop interest in polo”, he said.