Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-04 03:22:20
The ongoing 2024 Lagos International Polo Tournament at the Lagos Polo Club has been nothing short of a spectacular display of skill and excitement. The Italian Ambassadors Cup, one of the highly anticipated matches, saw the Lagos Art Hotel-Shoreline team emerge victorious, defeating Abuja Rubicon 13-10 in a thrilling match that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
The winning team, led by Bashir Dantata and Tunde Karim, put on a stellar performance, with Chris Mackenzie and Manuel Crespo contributing to their success. From the opening chukka to the final whistle, the Lagos side maintained their lead, ultimately securing the victory with Makenzie’s decisive 13th goal in the last chukka. The hard-fighting Rubicon put up a valiant effort, but the Art Hotel-Shoreline team’s determination and commitment led them to a well-deserved win.
The Italian Ambassador’s Cup victory puts the Art Hotel-Shoreline team in a favorable position as they look ahead to the winner-takes-all Majekodunmi Cup final, adding to the excitement of the ongoing tournament. The high-stakes second week of the 2024 Lagos Polo extravaganza has drawn a capacity crowd, with teams showcasing their top-level skills and competitive spirit.
The preceding week of the tournament also saw other teams making their mark. The Lagos Trojan Ark team emerged as the biggest winners, capturing the Chapelhill Dandem Open Cup by defeating Lagos STL in a closely contested final. Additionally, STL secured their victory by clinching the Oba of Lagos Cup, while the visiting Kaduna Sublime/ Dangote team scored a golden goal to upset Open Cup record holder, Lagos Leighton Kings, and claim the Dapo Ojora Memorial Cup.
As the tournament progresses, excitement continues to build for the upcoming weeks. The third week will feature 16 teams from major polo centers across the country competing for the Low Cup, promising intense battles and impressive displays of skill. The final week is set to feature 14 equally matched low-goal teams vying for the Silver Cup, making it a fitting conclusion to Africa’s richest polo extravaganza.
The Lagos International Polo Tournament has showcased the best of the sport, attracting a diverse array of talented teams and drawing enthusiastic crowds. From thrilling matches to hard-fought victories, the tournament has not failed to deliver on its promise of excitement and world-class polo. As the tournament progresses, anticipation continues to build for the remaining matches and the crowning of the ultimate champions.
