The ancient kingdom of Katsina is set to host the prestigious polo carnival scheduled to hold from the 8th – 15th of September 2018.
As the first tournament of the Nigerian polo season Katsina grand event is clearly one of the biggest annual events in the country, that has continually attract the biggest crowd ever and a must attend for all the top teams around the country.
Billed to gallop off in grand style this weekend at the legendary Usman Nagogo Polo Ground in Katsina, this edition promises to be the most competitive and exciting as the, two of Katsina polo most prestigious competition, Nigerian Cup and General Hassan Cup are again at the center of a massive build-ups and speculation frenzy.
Not for the first time these two titles are racing up the billing as the tournament’s star attractions because of their cutting edge staple of dramatic robustness and heart stopping flourishes, the exact recipe that turns it on for polo fans who thronged the Sir Usman Nagogo Polo Ground in their thousands for the colourful opening ceremony.
The prestigious Nigerian Cup which remains the premier trophy in Katsina and one of the four grand slam prizes in Nigeria Polo, ranking in popularity with Georgian, Majekodunmi and Emir of Katsina, sure has some mystic around it.
What stands the Nigerian Cup out is quite simply. Apart from its pre-eminent position as the first high-goal prize to be competed for every season, what makes it tick is the approach of the competing teams from Kaduna, Lagos, Abuja, Yola and lately Katsina, a commitment no other prize can quite regularly induce.
Though the General Hassan Katsina Cup is a handicap notch below the Nigerian Cup here, it has consistently pushed more fans and higher spectator value with its all-action vibrancy that easily races the adrenaline and keeps aficionados on their toes.
The crown is named after the late Life Chairman of the NPF and a prince of the ancient Katsina kingdom, General Hassan Usman Katsina, who rose to becoming the first black polo administrator to become the first African Ambassador at the world governing body, the Federation of International Polo FIP).
Given its pre-eminent status and its royal colouration, winning General Hassan Cup title is the dream of every Katsina born polo patron and players alike, as they are always motivated by competitive ambitions beyond the reward, in the truest Olympian tradition.
Other prestigious prizes also at stake include the Vice President Cup, The Governor Cup, Muhammadu Kabir Cup, Usman Nagogo Memorial Cup, Dikko Memorial Cup, Lawal Kaita Cup and Maidabino Cup.
With a crowded field comprising former champions, traditional rivals and ambitious new comers, the battles for honours would indeed be fierce and the teeming polo buffs that would throng the Sir Usman Nagogo Polo Ground venue would have their money and time worth.
Francis Ogboro, Chief Executive of the HPF, says: “It has been a hugely successful year for Nigerian polo and the Katsina tournament has been no exception. “The big games for Nigerian and General Hassan cups would be tough; the oppositions have put strong teams with a variety of players and styles from all over the world.”
“It is impossible to predict who will be standing on the podium with the two trophies at the end of the tournament. With a mixture of such talent and experience, it will certainly be matches worth watching,” Ogboro cautions.
