The final weekend of the prestigious NPA/GTCO 2024 Lagos international Tournament provided another wave of triumphs, disappointments and astounding athletic achievements with Lagos-based teams letting out the biggest roars, dominating on all fronts.
After a month-long of the best international polo action, the world will surely now be reliving the magic and the legacies at the just concluded tournament that saw Leighton Kings leading other two Lagos teams to victories in Majekodunmi Cup, Open Cup and the Logos Low Cup respectively.
Hosted by the Lagos Polo Club to celebrate 120 years of playing polo in the former federal capital, the festival lived up to the tournament’s billing as a truly global festival. The Bowale Jolaosho-led Leighton King out-paced three strong oppositions to retain the event’s biggest prize and the Independence Cup.
Lagos Art Hotel Shoreline team extended Lagos lead after dispatching the visiting Abuja Rubicon team to lift the glittering Italian Ambassador’s Cup. Lagos Trojan Ark pulled Lagos higher, clinching the Chapelhill Danhem Open Cup, while STL emerged the proud champions in the race for the Oba of Lagos Cup.
Home teams enjoyed their dominance in the third week after Lagos A+/A one and Lagos MSD Baby Bear teams added the Lagos Low Cup and the Chief of Naval Staff Cup respectively,
Only the Dapo Ojora Memorial Cup went to visiting Kaduna Sublime/ Dangote team in the opening week.
It was Lagos all the way until the final week that Ibadan pulled the biggest upset of the festival denying the host the Sani Dangote Cup and ended their dominance with a stunning victory in the Silver Cup. That upset earned Ibadan Durante the best performing visiting team of the 120th edition of the international polo festival.
True to its elite, stylish and extravagant tradition nurtured over the decades, the social scene of this annual tournament was as much of a show as the game on the pitch, with loads of entertainment and a colourful crowd that include, Obas, Emirs, Business tycoons, and society affluence lapping up the magic of the ancient noble game.
Elated Lagos Polo Club President, Bode Makanjuola who congratulated all the winners and runners-up of the tournament, described the 2024 edition that featured top Nigerian stars and their foreign counterparts, as the most thrilling and most memorable in years.
He thumbed-up all the sponsors and partners of the club for their commitment to promoting the noble game of polo in the country, noting that the relationship between Lagos polo and its benefactors over the decades has had a positive impact in the society.
