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Led by some highly-ranked players including Mohammed Babangida and Facundo, El-Amin Polo Club made history at the weekend by claiming the prestigious GEORGIAN Cup for a record 16th time following a flawless 12-4 victory over Kaduna Makarfi Polo Club at the Kaduna International Tournament. Victory at the Dawule Baba Murtala Mohammed Polo Ground in Kaduna coincided with the club’s 30th anniversary to the delight thousands of spectators and polo aficionados . Speaking after the game, Zamfara State Governor, Dr. Dauda Lawal Dare, who is one of the special guest of honour , commended the organisers and sponsors of the game for a job well done. He assured that his administration will do everything possible to revive the game of Polo in Zamfara State. “As a former Executive Director of First Bank, I’m very passionate about the game of Polo and am glad that so far, the game has evolved in Nigeria and the Kaduna international Polo tournament is attracting international players around the world,” he said. Speaking in the same vein , the member representing Maru/Bungudu federal constituency of Zamfara State Dr. Abdulmalik Zubairu who holds the traditional title of Zannan Bungudu , acknowledged the fact that the game of polo is thriving in Nigeria, he expressed optimism that the game would attract more sponsors in the coming years. “This tournament is of international standard I’m happy to be here in Kaduna today to witness history being made” he said. While speaking after the final match, the tournament manager Atiku Abubakar Saleh who holds the traditional title of Baraden Marum , congratulated El-Amin Polo for the victory and their 30th anniversary, noting that the game of Polo has come to stay in Nigeria. Read Also: Jalla kicks over undue FIFA ‘s intervention in NFF’s electoral process ” Let me congratulate El-Amin Polo for this victory, it wasn’t easy and the history of Kaduna international Polo tournament won’t be complete without El-Amin Polo” he said. Meanwhile, basking in El-Amin’s triumphant display, Mohammed Babangida, the Garkuwan Yamman Katsina, thanked Allah for giving his team its 16th Georgian Cup while celebrating their 30th year in the game “I’m very happy to be a part of this history, we have been in the game for a very long time, this victory is for all Polo lovers and our supporters,” Babangida said. “I also want to thank all our sponsors and supporters, this tournament is historic. The players gave their very best and at the end of the game we emerged victorious.” Other dignitaries present at the event aside the Zamfara State Governor, were representative of the Governor of Niger State, representatives of Emir of Zazzau and Emir of Katsina as well as the Management of First Bank of Nigeria PLC and The Nigeria Polo Association NPA. The Kaduna international Polo tournament featured over 10 international Polo players from around the globe and it is one of Africa’s prominent Polo events.
