With the 2024 Kano polo festival and Nigeria’s 64th Independence celebrations concluded, attention has shifted to Adamawa State for the 2024 Yola International Polo Tournament which is scheduled to gallop off on October 14.
The much anticipated international polo tournament earlier billed for September 23, was put on hold due to the devastating Maiduguri flood that claimed lives and rendered many homeless.
Yola Polo Club Captain, Mohammed Baba who disclosed this, stated that the prestigious festival would begin on October 14 at its traditional venue, the Lamido Musdafa Polo Ground in the Adamawa State capital city.
“On behalf of the Management of Yola Polo Club, I’m happy to inform all the expected participating teams, players, polo clubs, our esteemed sponsors and stakeholders that the 2024 tournament that was shifted owing to the devastating flood in neighbouring Maiduguri, Borno State is good to go,” Baba declared
The Yola Polo Secretary, Usman Saad, who apologised for any inconvenience the postponement might have caused all the stakeholders, invited guests, and polo enthusiasts across the country and beyond, said that the polo ground is wearing a new look for the polo extravaganza that has already been sold out.
Yola Polo Vice Captain, Aliyu Dahiru added that major prizes at stake during the weeklong polo extravaganza include the high-stake Governor’s Cup and the Lamido Cup which is the oldest prize in the over 92 years old history of the tournament.
There is also the INTEL Cup, ABTI Cup, General Hassan Cup, A.A. Mustapha Cup, and M.C. Tahir Cup among others.
The annual polo tournament which captures the essence and cultural heritage of the Adamawa Kingdom is sponsored by the Adamawa State Government and other sponsors, and enjoys the royal blessing of Lamido Adamawa, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr,) Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa.
The tournament which debuted in the early 1930s remains the biggest polo fiesta in the north eastern part of Nigeria
