Nneka Nwanma of Atlantic Energy, Events and Sponsorship Manager, MTN, Dola Bamgboye and President, Lagos Polo Club, Habeeb Fasinro at the pre- tournament press conference held at the Lagos Polo Club, on Tuesday
By Kunle Adewale
The 2013 Lagos Polo International Tournament will gallop off Wednesday with nine trophies up for grabs in the prestigious event.
Billed for the legendary Ribadu Road Polo Club, this year’s edition promises to be the most competitive and the most exciting in years with solid backing from MTN who are joined by Guarantee Trust Bank and Atlantic Energy as the major sponsors to compliment the host of other sponsors.
Kano-based Dala and Mapo from Ibadan will get action underway in the Open Cup while the rivalry between sides from the two states will continue almost immediately with Ibah and Eleyele also jostling for supremacy in the second match of the day which is under the Dansa Cup. The final game of the opening day, which is another Dansa Cup match, will see Lagos Travia Trojan face Eurovote/Sublime Group from Kano.
Tournament Manager, Tade Oyinlola said during the press conference to herald the 2013 edition Tuesday that the Lagos Polo club has been setting the pace stressing that this year’s will not be an exception with high and low goals for all the cups.
“The Lagos Polo Club is ready for the polo fiesta and we have carefully packaged the event for ultimate satisfaction of all the participating players, our sponsors, invited guests and polo enthusiasts,” he said.
President of the Lagos Polo Club, Honourable Habeeb Fashinro said this year’s edition will be unique as it is segmented into two weekends of bumper-to-bumper exciting world-class action.
However, it will not be all polo as there will be social nights of which lovers of polo and members of the club can enjoy themselves.
“In as much as competitors would try to give themselves a run for their money, we are all friends and we will come together as friends after the game and socialize,” Fasinro noted.
Some professional polo players from Argentina, South Africa and Europe are expected to play for some of the teams during the two-week period of polo actions.
Some of the titles at stake include, Governor’s Cup, Independence Cup, Oba of Lagos Cup, Italian Ambassador Cup as well as the prestigious Majekodunmi Cup, the highest valued of all the cups.
