Lagos Polo Festival: Almat, STL, Lagos Machine, 31 others jostle for pinnacle laurels

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All hinges are off the hooks because the tops draw, Almat, Lagos STL, and Lagos Machine lead others in the war for glories within the Lagos international polo grand slam that gallops off on Wednesday on the mythical Ribadu Road Polo Ground in Ikoyi.

Both Alma and STL will be seeking their first-ever Majekodunmi Cup, just as five equally matched groups had been confirmed for the war for the occasion’s 2nd maximum wanted prize of the international tourney, The Lagos Open Cup.

Lagos Polo Captain, Rotimi Makanjuela, who disclosed in Lagos, showed that twelve formidable teams are lining up for the unpredictable Silver Cup, even as the ever-famous Lagos Low Cup will pitch 14 groups ruled by using debutants and learners in what guarantees to be one of the most contested fundamentals in Lagos this 12 months.

Rugby

Manjula additionally showed that 9 professional players from Argentina, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and expert umpires will even feature in the event. He additionally said that over suits may be played while the competition, remarkably, will for the fourth 12 months running, characteristic a girl participant.

Polo Royal’s assessments reveal that the traveling Almat who are armed to the enamel with Argentine specialists and intimidating horse energy are aiming to win the respected Majek name on the first strive. Still, STL that has stamped its authority in the medium-aim campaign inside the closing 3 years, are battle equipped for the task of ensuring that the Abuja big Boys would now not leave Ikoyi with something tangible.

Tournament Manager Seyi Oyinlola promised that this year could get better because it has continuously been through the years, including that “it’s going to be a week of exciting polo enjoy for the enthusiasts of the sport.”

Oyinlola, who commended GTBank, that’s the primary sponsor, stated that having gained a reputation as the largest polo tournament in West Africa, the Lagos Polo Club look ahead to delivering great values for the sponsors with the approaching on board of Coca-Cola and Shell, which joined BUA, WAPIC Insurance and others in sponsoring the glamorous fiesta.

GT Bank Manager Cooperate Affairs, Communications and External Affairs Jide Sipe pledged the financial institution’s commitment to the development of polio in Nigeria.

“Our commitment to this event stays sturdy, and we are honestly obsessed with the event. Polo is a sport that displays all the attitudes that make human lifestyles a success with the exhibition of individual, dedication, discipline. In fact, this polo occasion has been one of the first highlights in our calendar at GTBank,” he said.

Lagos Polo Club president Ade Laoye stated the host club is rejuvenated with the non-stop infrastructural upgrade stressing that the stables had been removed to protect gamers and horses to go along with global fashionable.

Laoye introduced that aside from its common touch, the approaching groups from Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Abuja, and overseas experts on this 12 months’ event make it a merely countrywide match to shine the standard Nigerian gamers.

The first week billed to run from March thirteen-17, will see Lagos primarily based teams and visiting teams from Kaduna, Kano, Ibadan, and Port Harcourt vying for laurels within the Silver and Open Cup, respectively.

The fantastically respected Oba of Lagos Cup, one of every of the most important decision on prizes, can also be determined within the first stage of the international polo extravaganza.

The 2d week will run from March 20-24 via the weekend, with many Lagos’ groups and traveling groups struggling with the Low Cup. From Abuja and Lagos, two heavyweight teams will round off the event with a tremendous clash for the celebrated Majekodunmi Cup, the of the most treasured polo title within the continent.

The competition that’s backed majorly using Guarantee Trust Bank, BUA Group, WAPIC Insurance, and a handful of other company corporations, enjoys the blessing of the Oba of Lagos, His Majesty Rilwan Akiolu, and additional first-class royalties throughout us of a.

Revered because the birthplace of Nigerian polo, the excellent recreation of kings become brought inside u. S. Using British Naval officers and the sport was first played in 1904 on an airstrip in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Then in 1914, Kaiser Wilhelm II, King of Germany, provided a real silver Cup (now known as the Independence Cup) which stays the oldest polo prize Lagos, for a championship among Nigeria and the German Cameroon’s.

Over the century, the club advanced rapidly through the years, survived into the brand new millennium as the best membership in Nigeria much like Lagos country which from first of all being the capital of Nigeria has retained its function because of the most suitable land and business heartbeat of the nation.