NAN-S-13
Polo
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Nov. 20, 2017 (NAN) No fewer than 40 Ministers of Aviation and representatives from 70 countries on Monday in Abuja graced the opening ceremony of the International World Aviation Forum (IWAF)/ Carnival Polo Tournament.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the carnival which began on Monday at the Abuja Guards Polo Club is expected to end on Sunday.
The opening ceremony began with a colourful durbar hosted by the Emir of Keffi, Shehu Chindo Yamusa III.
The durbar was quickly followed by an exhibition match between the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC).
The ICAO team defeated the AFCAC team 6-4 at the end of a thrilling encounter.
The ICAO team led by the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika (+1), had Idris Badamasi (+3), Bashir Dantata (+3) and the country’s number one-ranked player, Bello Buba (+4).
The AFCAC team boasted of players such as Abdulmalik Badamasi (+3), Khalifa Maitashi (+3), Jamilu Mohammed (+3) and the Guards Polo Club Chairman/Captain, Mustapha Junaidu.
The first chukka began with Abdulmalik Badamasi opening scoring for the AFCAC team barely 50 seconds after the blast of the umpire’s whistle.
Mohammed added a second in the second chukka, but Buba pulled one back for ICAO to make it 2-1 at the end of the second chukka.
Dantata levelled scores to make it 2-2, before Abdulmalik Badamasi put the AFCAC team ahead again to make 3-2 at the end of the third chukka.
The fourth and last chukka was a nail-biting and nervy affair as both sides went for the kill.
But, while the ICAO team pushed for the equaliser, the AFCAC team looked to put the game beyond their opponents.
However, it was Buba who proved his worth as the best player in the country by levelling scores to make it 3-3 at the start of the final chukka.
Dantata and Buba then combined to score three goals, with Buba scoring twice to grab his fourth for a 6-3 scoreline and put the game beyond the AFCAC team.
AFCAC however scored a late consolation goal through Maitashi to make it 6-4 at the end of fourth chukka.
The winning team was presented with the prestigious Georgian Cup by the Minister of Defence, Mannir Dan Ali.
Other guests at the occasion were FCT Minister Muhammad Bello, Imo Deputy Governor Eze Madumere and Saleh Dunoma, the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Also present were representatives of the World Bank, African Development Bank, manufacturers of planes and aviation equipment, among others.
Aliyu Umar, the Carnival Polo Tournament Manager told NAN that the polo tournament proper which gallops off on Friday would end on Sunday.
Umar said seven teams would be competing for honours in different categories ranging from the high goal (+6 to +9), medium goal (+2 to +5) and the Guards Challenge (-3 to 0).
“The seven teams are Almat LCC, Aviva, Dakattu, Iyatu Farms, Horse Power, Dogonyaro Farms and Capital Builders.
“Almat LCC and Aviva will compete for honours in the high goal category, while Dakattu, Iyatu Farms and Horse Power will slug it out in the medium goal category.
“It promises to also be a fierce battle between Dogonyaro Farms and Capital Builders for the Guards Challenge,” he said.(NAN)
VO/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)