National Carnival Polo avenue for security services, public synergy

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, at the weekend, described the 2022 National Carnival Polo Tournament as an avenue to create synergy between security services and the general public.

The 2022 National Carnival Polo Tournament galloped off at the Nigeria Polo Resort/Guards Polo Club on December 10 and ended yesterday.

Speaking after the FCT Minister’s Cup final between Nigeria Police Polo team (IGP Strikers) and the Nigeria Army Polo Association (NAPA) team on Saturday, Baba noted that both teams displayed professionalism during the game. NAPA won the tightly contested match 5-4.

At the end of a pulsating four chukka encounter, the Police boss stressed that the main aim of tournament was to cement and promote the partnership and cooperation between both security services and the general public.

Baba said: “Everybody has done well. The game was perfectly matched and the rules were adhered to strictly. The outing was excellent, as well as the outfits of both teams, which was a true representation of the two services.

“The horses were also in top shape and the umpire was on top of the game. Today, both teams met in the final, having defeated so many opponents to get to this stage.

“For every game, there must be a winner and there must be a loser and I congratulate NAPA for a very hard-fought victory against a formidable police team.

“I still feel very proud of my team as they showed by their display that they are indeed a team to reckon with any time, any day against any opposition.

“But the real aim of taking part in this tournament is to cement partnership, relationship, cooperation and understanding amongst ourselves. If you also look at the number of spectators that came out to watch the game today you can see that it was impressive. So, polo is also an avenue for the police to entertain and relate with the general public which was indeed evident today.”

NAPA Captain, Brig. Gen. Adamu Laka, expressed joy over his team’s victory, adding that the tournament was also an avenue for both security services to synergies.

“The Nigeria Army and Police have always had a rivalry in the game of polo and the aim of such games is to create synergy between the security forces. Indeed, today’s game was really tough and quite an exciting one and we thank God that we came out victorious at the end.

“The police had a very strong and determined team. However, they were playing on an Army ground and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya just sponsored the Army team to Argentina and we just back.”

Hadi Sirika’s Abuja Rubicon defeated Max Air by four and a half goals to three to win the Legislative Shield.

Yesterday’s grand finale pitted Alphamsa against Dogon Yaro Farms in a battle for the Guards Challenge Cup, while Malcomines of Jos took on 60 Yard/Afmaaj in the fight for the tournament’s highest prize, President’s Cup.