It was a display of elegance and charm as the 2022 NPA Ibadan International Polo tournament kicked off in grand style on Tuesday at the Ibadan Polo Club, Eleyele, Ibadan, with the participation of more than 20 teams from across the country.
The event, which is scheduled to gallop for six days will run until Sunday, May 22, and will feature exciting activities for the children and women in addition to the main tournament.
Ibadan Polo Club president, Koyinsola Owoeye, at the tournament press conference disclosed that the competition will consist of three major cup campaigns. This includes the highly revered Ibadan Cup presented in the early 1930s by Colonel R. Petit of the 9th Lancer of the then British colonial masters.
Others are the Rotimi Cup, Ade Alakija Cup played in memory of the former Ibadan Polo Captain, and The GOC Cup, the Professor Jide Owoeye Cup, Governor’s Cup, HST Cup and Shoreline Cup, among others.
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Owoeye also stated that with the number of expected teams and the calibre of players who would showcase their awesome skills, the 2022 edition of the tournament promises an intense competition and a wonderful experience of entertainment for sponsors, players, guests and fans alike.
In his remark, the tournament chairman and vice president of Ibadan Polo Club, Bola Adeyeni, lauded the Oyo State governor, Mr Seyi Makinde for his support and backing of the tournament.
He noted that the annual polo event will have participants from the Guard Polo Club from Abuja, Port Harcourt Polo Club, Jos Red Crown, among other prominent clubs from Lagos, Kano and Kaduna.
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Additionally, he noted that this year’s event is guaranteed to be the most competitive and the most exciting in years, saying “It’s going to be a week of thrilling polo experience for the lovers of the game.”