The annual Nigerian Polo Association, Ibadan International Polo tournament, is set to gallop off on Monday, May 20, at the Ibadan Polo Club Ground, off Eleyele road Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
The annual event which has over the years recorded participation of top-rated players in previous editions will again have in attendance high-profile polo players from across the world as they vie for honours in various categories of events.
The first game of this year’s tournament will be kicked off by the Group Managing Director/CEO of Shoreline Energy International, one of the major sponsors of the event, Chief Kola Karim.Â
Other sponsors include: Bluechip Technologies, IHS Towers of Strength, MTN, Graham Beck, Banwo & Ighodalo,Transco Africa, Macadams, Lead City Group,Oyo State Government and other notable companies.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Chairman, of this year’s edition, Abimbola Adeyemi, said the 7-day event will be the biggest in the history of the competition, as teams from Jos, Kano, Kaduna, Lagos and Port Harcourt will be participating in major events such as Ibadan Cup, Rotimi Cup, Ade ALAKIJA Memorial Cup, Shoreline Cup, Governor’s Cup and Professor Jide Owoeye Cup.
“This year edition promises to be the best than our previous editions in all areas. Apart from the core event amongs the participants, we shall be having entertainment corner on daily basis where live bands, DJ, karaoke and many entertainment session will be done to spice up the tournament,” Adeyemi, said.
Adeyemi added that top players across the country such as Asharaf Yahaya (+3 handicap), Kwame Isa (+3 handicap), Abdulrahman Mohammed (+3 handicap) and Diego White coming from Argentina will be representing thier respective teams as spectators are enjoined to come in throngs to witness the best ‘sportainment’ in the country.
Also speaking, Entertainment Secretary, Olufela Yomi-Layinka assured of maximum security and provision of top notch medical services to both players and spectators throughout the tournament.Â
In his remark, President, Ibadan Polo Club, Mr Kayinsola Owoeye, commended the main sponsor, Shoreline Energy International, a leading industrial group focused on energy and power investments in Sub Saharan Africa and other sponsors for their contributions to the growth of the Polo in Nigeria.
