Trappco gallops to history at MTN Unity Polo
A record number of twelve Nigerian most popular polo organizations made their debut in what has gone down in history as the biggest polo fiesta ever witnessed in the capital city. After four days of bumper-to bumper top class competition that threw up Abuja as a major destination for the king sports, polo, the unprecedented […]
A record number of twelve Nigerian most popular polo organizations made their debut in what has gone down in history as the biggest polo fiesta ever witnessed in the capital city.
After four days of bumper-to bumper top class competition that threw up Abuja as a major destination for the king sports, polo, the unprecedented event that attracted top echelon of the society produced some stunning victories that has continue to dominate medias headlines across the world.
One such victories whose legacy would last for a very long time, was the upper ground campaign of Kaduna Trappco Ranch who did not only emerged the overall champions of the high profile Unity Polo extravaganza, but became the first Nigerian high-goal organization to clinch a major polo title since the federal capital city came to being over two decades ago.
Already in the record books as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished high-goal polo team, having won all the polo Grand Slams titles more than once, Suleiman Abubakar’s Trappco has jump the driving seat as the team to beat in Abuja.
Way back in 1993, this polo addict who is the power behind Imani Estates, had set the record as the first team to start off the Georgian Cup winning streak for Kaduna teams that is still running till date.
Sine carting the most wanted polo title in Africa with his now rested Kaduna Imani, no visiting team has come close to winning the 400 years old, as Kaduna teams have successfully perpetuated themselves in the prize made from the finest of the Georgian silver.
Other Kaduna teams that have ecked their names on the Georgian champions scroll include Adamu Atta’s MIA Hotels, Kaduna Kakuri, and Mohammed Banagida’s EL-Amin who are the reigning champions after winning the coveted crown for keeps two years ago.
Since lunching his Trappco Ranchers a decade ago, Abubakar who is the first Nigerian polo patron to introduce the South Africa breed horses into Nigerian polo, has repeated the grand Slams title victory and the Abuja glory may well be another victory streak in the making.
Parading the likes of the mesmerizing Ibrahim Babangida, the hard hitting Ibrahim Mohammed and the emerging top defender, Rabiu Mohammed, Abubakar rallied his Trappco warriors to a hard earned victory against Rubicon to write their names in gold as the champions of the first ever Abuja Unity Polo Tournament.
The epic final that went to the wire, was watched by top dignitaries including the Vice President, Architect Mohammed Namadi Sambo, Chief of Army Staff, Inspector General of Police, members of the National Assembly, traditional rulers and thousands of polo enthusiasts from around the country.
Originally slated for Sunday, the Trappco-Rubicon clash was pushed to the next day after a heavy down pour had washed off the event and render the Royal Guards Polo Club venue un playable.
Whatever reservation polo buffs had about the rescheduled final soon made way for a thrilling moments as the top firing Rubicon led by Honourable Speaker House of Representatives, Honourable Dimeji Bankole sparked from the blast racing to three goal lead in the opening chukkers of the explosive Democracy Cup final encounter.
Trappco who had earlier dispatched Meridian Airline team on their way to the final, responded with equal fire power drawing level 8-8 in the final seconds of the epic battle.
With the two finalists finishing all squard at regulation time after five gruelling chukker of top class polo, the game went into sudden death chukker to determine the winner and the winner came from the magical hands of Ibrahim Mohammed who swept home a goal mouth scramble to give Trappco the day.
“It was a great final game that truly reflects the Nigerian spirit. Our opponents gave good account of themselves as they pushed us all, the way to the final second, but we were better and deserved the victory that has gone down in history as the first real high-goal polo final in Abuja,” Abubakar declared moments after receiving the Democracy Cup from the Vice President.
Another epic final that needed the sudden death chukker to separate the winners, was the Brigade of Guards Trophy final that pitted the Nigerian Army team against their arch rivals, the Nigerian Police.
It was an intense campaign that saw the Lt.Col. Kapeh led Army squad coming from behind to claim a stunning victory, thanks to the impressive display by Lt.Col. Laka and Lado Abubakar who scored a stunning winner from a sixty yard penalty that sparked an all night celebration barracks and all military formations across the country.
Earlier, Honourable Ihrahim Ballah had powered his Meridian team to the FCT Ministers Cup victory, just as Honourable Aliyu Wadada continues his victory run as his Keffi Ponies added the Legislative Shield to their title cabinet.
The MTN Unity Polo Tournament was orgainsed and hosted by the Guards Polo Club as part of theweeklong activities marking this year’s democracy Day celebration, was backedby other corporate organizations and individuals who keyed in in the effort to sustain Nigeria’s hard earned democracy.