By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Dec. 18, 2023 (NAN) The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, says the participation of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) was far beyond just competing to win the cup.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigeria Police Polo team gave a good account of themselves during the carnival polo tourney, winning all their games enroute the final of the FCT Minister’s Cup.
They defeated Farm to You 2 to half a goal in their first game of the tournament.
The Police team then beat 313 by 6 to 4 and half a goal in their second match.
It was a tightly contested third match as the Police team edged out Musaco 7 to 6 gods.
The hard-fighting, spirited Police Polo team, however, fell short of victory in the final third, losing to champions FK3 by a narrow 3 to 5 goal-margin at the end of a nervy, nail-biting and pulsating encounter.
Speaking through the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Police mobile Force, Deinma Abibo, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun told newsmen that beyond competing for glory, the Police Force participation in tournament alongside the Military and Civilains was aimed at instilling the spirit of unity and national cohesion amongst the various forces as well the civilians.
“First and foremost, sports keep us physically fit, and mentality alert.
“It also creates room for interagency relationships, collaboration, and synergy.
“So, against that backdrop, it helps us to promote unity amongst sister agencies.
“Outside that, it also creates a forum for community policing with members of the public,” he said.
Chairman, Nigerian Army Polo Association, NAPA, Brigadier General Adamu Laka says the Nigerian Army under the watch of the Chief of Army staff will be relentless in its effort to upgrade the Abuja Guards Polo Club to match global standard.
The General stated this over the weekend at the closing ceremony of this year’s Carnival Polo Tournament in Abuja shortly after the final of the keenly contested President’s Cup between Malcomines of Jos and Rubicons of Abuja.
According to General Laka, the match that ended 7-7 before a coin was tossed to determine the winners, clearly indicates that the annual tournament is becoming highly competitive over the years.
NAN reports that Hadi Sirika’s Abuja Rubicon Polo team emerged winners of the event’s biggest prize; the President’s Cup.
Sirika, the patron of Rubicon after his team’s victory, told newsmen that the two perennial rivals in the President’s Cup stood head and shoulders above the rest.
He said that Malcomines was a team to beat in the near future.
“I think it was a very tough match. It was played with equal strength players.
“The game was very tactical, but I think what went very well for us was the element of horsepower.
“The professional also did very well and went back in defence at the last chukka, which I think helped matters, and tactically, it came out to be the winning strategy,” he said
NAN reports that the week-long international carnival fiesta, which galloped off at the Nigeria Polo Resort/Guards Polo Club on Dec. 9 came to an end on Sunday.
No fewer than five cups were competed for during the tournament to showcase and celebrate the tourism potentials and cultural heritage of the country.
No fewer than 28 teams across the country as well as participants from home and abroad took part in the competition.
The teams competed for the President’s Cup, Legislative Shield, FCT Minister’s Cup, Guards Challenge Trophy, and the Argentine Ambassador’sCup. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
