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| L-R Oba Rilwan Akiolu 1, Mr Dolapo Akerele, president Lagos Polo Club and Mr Karl Toriola, chief technical officer MTN Nigeria during the presentation of the Oba of Lagos Cup at the 2011 MTN Lagos International Polo Tournament |
spreading excitement across the country, ended last night with a bang with two
bumper to bumper cup finals lighting up the city.
The first stage finals which were before a full house at the legendary Ribadu
Road Polo Ground in Ikoyi saw Lagos and Kano teams going neck to neck in their
traditional rivalry to decide the winner of the Dansa and the Lagos Low Cup.
In a dramatic and suspends filled Dansa Cup final, visiting Kano Yakassai came
from behind to snatched a sudden death victory against home boys, Lagos
Petrogroup, smiling home with the glittering Dansa Cup.
The final score line standing at 5-5 at the end of the four regulated chukkers,
the MTN powered grand fiesta went straight to the wire with a tense sudden death
decider that came down in the third minute with a low strike by Yakassai’s top
predator, Idris Ahmed.
‘We came fully prepared because the Lagos guys are always in a killer mood when
playing before their crowd. Our game plan was simple, don’t allow them space and
take every chance that come and it work well,’ enthused Ahmed.
The second game of the day was the prestigious Lagos Low Cup final in which
Lagos Arkpolo gave their teeming Lagos fans plenty to celebrate for, as they
handed the highly ambitious Kano Suleya side a 41/2-3 defeat to clinch their
first ever Lagos major title.
That victory came quite timely for the Lagosians who had earlier watched in
shock as Lagos Petrogroup suffered a sudden death defeat in the hands of another
Kano side in the Dansa Cup.
The MTN polo grand finale was witnessed by top dignitaries and teeming crowd of
polo buffs that included the Oba of Lagos, His Majesty Oba Rilwan Akiolu who
arrived with his traditional chiefs, Umaru Shinkafi and other Trustees of the
Lagos Polo Club, captains of industries and diplomats.
The Lagos Monarch, who was the Special Guest of Honour and Father of the Day,
was on hand to present the highly revered Oba of Lagos Cup to the winners and
the runners.
The second part of the MTN/Lagos international Polo Tournament is billed to
gallop off next week from March 2-6, 2011. It promises to a thrilling campaign
as the big boys compete for the ‘Lagos Open’ and ‘Majekodunmi Cup’ respectively.
Other laurels up for grabs during the grand finale include are the ‘the
Governor’s Cup as well as the Independence trophy, reputed as the oldest polo
prize in Nigeria.
Ernest Ekpeyoung.
Kabiesi is truely a sportsman.I like his track gear.
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