Glitz of Ibadan Polo tournament

This year’s Nigerian Polo Association (NPA), Ibadan International Polo Tournament, came to an end last Sunday. The one-week event was held at the Ibadan Polo Clubgrounds, Eleyele, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The Royal Father of the Day, at the closing ceremony, was Kabiyesi Alayeluwa, Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun, Aliiwo Okunmade 11, who was represented by Senior Chief ‘Lekan Alabi, Maye Olubadan of Ibadanland.

In his remarks at the hooves pulsating and majestic ceremony, Alabi recalled that the Ibadan Polo Tournament, one of the oldest in the country, has always drawn  professional, top grade players and beautiful fans from the country and the world.

He mentioned great polo players such as the late Major-General Usman Hassan -Katsina, the first Military Governor of the now-defunct Northern Nigeria, retired Brig.-Gen. Oluwole Rotimi, a former military Governor of the now-defunct Western State and now the Grand Patron of the Ibadan Polo Club, Dr Asuni and others.

He said: “I once served as the ‘chaperon’ to General Hassan-Katsina, his visit to the IPC games in 1986, while I was the Press Secretary to the late Brigadier-General Adetunji Olurin, then the Military Governor of the old Oyo State. Gen. Katsina was the guest of the old Oyo State Military Government.”

Also present as a guest was the most senior Queen of Oba Olubadan, Olori Agba Joyce Balogun.