The Kaduna-based polo team, El-Amin, has reaffirmed its supremacy in the Nigerian polo scene by winning the 104th edition of the esteemed FirstBank-sponsored Georgian Cup at the Dawule Baba Murtala Mohammed Polo Ground in Kaduna over the weekend.
In a fiercely contested match lasting six chukkas, El-Amin decisively defeated rivals, Kaduna Makarfi, with a resounding score of 12 goals to 4 to clinch the prestigious Georgian Cup trophy for a record 16th time.
Following the victory, Mohammed Babangida, patron of the team, expressed his satisfaction and pride in their achievement, attributing their success to hard work.
“Winning the Georgian Cup 16 times is a record that has never been achieved in the history of Nigerian polo. The truth is that the players of El-Amin share a remarkable chemistry as we have been together for a long time and understand each other very well,” Babangida stated.
He further emphasised the team’s significant investment in the physical well-being of both the players and their horses.
While acknowledging the role of mental strength in their dominance, Babangida was full of praise for FirstBank’s sponsorship, asserting that El-Amin’s historic achievements in polo would not have been possible without it.
“We would not be here without FirstBank, and we must extend our gratitude for what they have done for polo. We celebrated our 100th anniversary alongside FirstBank, which has been the lifeline of everything you have witnessed here over the years,” he remarked appreciatively.
In response, Olusegun Alebiosu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to sponsoring the Georgian Cup.
“We will continue to support the Georgian Cup and remain committed to all our sports sponsorships, particularly initiatives that engage our youth,” he stated.
Donated by FirstBank in 1918, the Georgian Cup is the oldest and most esteemed polo trophy in West Africa and stands as one of the longest-running sports sponsorships in the world.
Speaking after the game, Zamfara State governor, Dr. Dauda Lawal, who was one of the special guests of honour at the final, 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 I’m glad that so far the game has evolved in Nigeria and the Kaduna international Polo tournament is attracting international players around the world,” Lawal said.
The tournament manager, Atiku Abubakar Saleh, congratulated El-Amin Polo for their victory and for celebrating 30 years in the game noting that the game of Polo has come to stay in Nigeria.
“Let me congratulate El-Amin Polo for this victory, it wasn’t easy and the history of the Kaduna international Polo tournament won’t be complete without El-Amin Polo” he said.
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.
