Nigerian polo players

The much anticipated MTN/Lagos International Polo Tournament billed for the foremost Ribadu Road Polo Ground in Ikoyi kicks off Wednesday with lots of promises.

Take the N40 million sponsorship commitments by the nation’s communications giants, MTN Nigeria, and other blue chip organisations that were unveiled at colourful ceremony Tuesday, then you would see why the former nation’s capital is in a vibrant mood for the grand event this year.

The colourful ceremony, which was grace by top officials of MTN, Management Committee members of Lagos Polo Club, corporate big wigs and the media, was one of the high profile events lined up to herald the glamorous polo tournament.

One innovation that set Lagos apart is the splitting of the polo extravaganza into two weekends of exciting bumper –to- bumper competition dominated by Nigerians and a handful of Argentine and European professionals.

The first weekend of February 23 through to the 27th will see teams vying for honours in the Lagos Low and Dansa. Eight teams would vie for the Dansa prize, sponsored by Dansa Foods, while nine teams from Kano, Ibadan and host Lagos would be toughing it up in the Lagos Low Cup.

The high point of the first weekend of the prestigious event would be the final of the Oba of Lagos Cup where two selected sides clash in a royal rumble.

 The final weekend of March 2-6, 201 would be the turn of the big boys as they rumble for Lagos Open and Majekodunmi Cups respectively. A record nine teams have confirmed their participation in the Chapelhill Denham sponsored Open Cup warfare.

The list includes Tavia/Trojan, Kano Titans, Goodfellas, Caverton, Shoreline and visiting Ibadan Origins. Three equally matched teams are on ground for the high stake, MTN-powered Majekodunmi Cup, the event’s biggest prize.

Defending champions, Kaduna Fifth Chukker led the pack that includes Linetrale/Trafigura and former champions, Ashbert Raiders/MRS who narrowly lost the crown last year.