By Ikenna Okonkwo
Abuja
Vice president, Namadi Sambo, minister of sports and chairman National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Tammy Danagogo, as well as the emir of Kastina will be among the dignitaries expected at the forthcoming polo tournament slated between May 20 and 25 in Abuja.
Disclosing this when officials of Abuja Guards Brigade Polo Club visited Dr. Danagogo in his office yesterday, tournament manager, Aliyu Hassan Umaru, told Blueprint Sport that no fewer than 16 teams were expected at the week-long event.
According to him, “About 16 teams will be participating in the six-day event which would also involve international professional players. The tournament will equally feature five categories of events.
“The first is the Guards Challenge Cup which is basically for beginners. Followed by second category which is the Guards Brigades Trophy opened to other states that are interested as well the Legislative Shield that is in honour of the members of the National Assembly.
“The other category is the Democracy and President Cup and the final one is the new one we just introduced which is the Argentine Ambassador’s Cup,’’
He further sought the support of the NSC saying, “Maintenance of the pitch is very important in a polo game or else, you will lose your horse and your well-being when you get injured. Also, our tracks also have to be in good shape.
“So, we are using this opportunity to ask the ministry for a befitting club house that will house all what we need to promote the game.
Responding, Dr. Danagogo expressed dissatisfaction that polo was not one of the most popular sports in the country and charged the club’s management to come up with programmes that would publicize the sport beyond the level it was.
