By Jacob Ajom

Polo enthusiasts in Lagos and its environs will be treated to two weeks of top notch experience as the 2018 Lagos International Polo tournament gallops off today at the popular Lagos Polo Club, Ikoyi Lagos with 34 teams vying for honours in five titles.

The first week billed to run from today to 18 will see teams compete in the Silver Cup which has eight home teams and six visiting teams while Open Cup will feature four teams all of which are from Lagos.

The tournament will feature four major cups namely Silver Cup, Open, Low and the Majekodunmi Cup in addition to four select Cups which are the Oba of Lagos Cup, Italian Ambassador’s  Cup, Chargoury Bowl and Churchward Plate. “These will present different teams and different competitions in one tournament”,  an official said.

In today’s opener, Ibadan Jericho will be taking on Kano BUA in the Silver Cup. The second match in the Silver Cup will see Lagos Avon taking on Lagos Alchemy

The second week will run from February 21 to 25 with seven Lagos’ teams and seven visiting teams battling for the Low Cup while Lagos Fifth Chukker and Kaduna Keffi Ponys will round off the tournament with a titanic clash for the prestigious Majekodunmi Cup, the most valuable polo title in West Africa.

Organisers of the tournament which has GTBank as the major sponsor said this year’s edition promises all the thrills, sophistication and uncompromised style that have become synonymous with the annual tournament touted as the biggest and most glamorous in West Africa.

Speaking at the pre-tournament press briefing at the Club House yesterday, Tournament Manager, Seyi Oyinlola said, the tournament would be much more entertaining and action-packed than the previous year’s. “We have raised the bar and spectators will be thrilled with what they will see as some of the best Polo players from around the world will be on parade.”

“Apart from showcasing the best Nigerian Polo players, we also have players from Argentina, Spain, England and South Africa,” he said.

Some of the expected foreign players to feature include Martin Juaregi, Augustine Canale, Juan Cruz Guebera, Manuel Crespo all from Argentina, Mario Gomez from Spain, Leroux Hendricks from South Africa, among others.