By Precious Isaac and Victor Okoye
Abuja, April 20, 2018 (NAN) The Abuja Guards Polo Club on Friday in Abuja said the club was set to host the 9th edition of the Abuja Unity Polo Tournament to celebrate unity, peace and love in Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament is expected to hold from May 8 to May 13 at the Abuja Guards Polo Club.
Bem Garba, the Tournament Manager, while addressing newsmen at a press briefing at the club house said the polo tournament was conceptualised to celebrate peace, unity and love in Nigeria through polo.
“This tournament is conceptualized around the idea of celebrating peace, unity and love in Nigeria through polo and that is why it is always held in May in commemoration of Democracy day.
“Polo players are peace-loving people and we support the government and care about the unity in Nigeria which is the major concept of the event,’’ he said.
Garba said plans were on ground to make sure that this year’s edition surpasses the previous tournaments in terms of quality, infrastructural drive and players that will feature in the event.
“This is the 9th edition of the event and we had successfully hosted eight previous editions. This edition is being planned to be bigger, better and of a higher quality.
“We are embarking on a very serious infrastructural development drive and polo enthusiasts who come to watch the games will definitely see that the club has been growing from strength to strength.
“As you are aware, polo is a high profile sport and so we have some very interesting dignitaries that have indicated serious interest in joining the club’
“We also have a very special guest who we intend to honour as our grand patron of the social members at the end of this tournament,’’ he said.
Speaking on the expectations and the number of teams that will grace the competition, Garba said a total of 12 teams would be vying for honours in the three main cup categories, adding however that there will be other cups sponsored by some individuals.
“A lot have been put into this edition as we expect a good number of foreign players and one of best polo players in Nigeria, Bello Buba (+4 ) as well as other top players to feature in the tournament.
“We are expecting 12 teams to participate and vie for three cups namely; the President Cup, the Legislative Shield and the Guards Challenge in the high goal, medium and intermediate categories respectively with four teams in each category.
Aliyu Umar, the Grounds Manager noted that the club over the years had created prestigious cups which have been vied for by very competitive polo teams.
He stated that with the pitch at the club, the players will surely have a nice game on the turf which will bring the best in them and promote competitiveness.
“After the last edition of the Unity tournament, the management of the club found it very fit to heavily invest in the irrigation infrastructure of the pitch over the last six months.
“So, I can assure you that our pitch is in fantastic shape and ready to hosts the best polo players in the country and the world to come and display their skills,’’ he said.
(NAN)
PI/VO/YAZ
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