polo players

The week-long Annual Bauchi Polo Tournament ended on a sad note Saturday when a horse on the field of play belonging to a Yola club side, collapsed and died instantly.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Correspondent covering the game reports that the match, between Bauchi Gabasawa and Yola Yelwa clubs, was in progress when the incident occurred, eliciting emotions from players and spectators.

Umar Modibbo, one of the players of Yola Yelwa, told NAN that the horse, a Sudanese brand, was worth N700, 000.

“We thank God that the player on the horse was not injured but for a polo player, losing a horse in that manner can be painful.

“We accept what has happened as predestined, that the horse will meet its end in Bauchi and not Yola,” he said.

Malam Bashir Umar, Ground Manager of Gabasawa Club, told NAN that in spite of the tragedy, the tournament had lived up to its name, drawing interests of players and spectators across the country.

He said 31 Polo Clubs from Niger,Katsina, Kaduna, Plateau, Rivers, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Borno and Bauchi states participated in the tournament.

NAN reports that Kaduna Kawo Polo Club won the main trophy, Governor’s Cup, defeating Bauchi Dkaji Club 6-5 in the finals. (NAN)