Sports
Argungu Polo Tourney: IGP Strikers Performance Impresses Captain
Vice-Captain of IGP Strikers, Haruna Shagari, on Tuesday said his team’s performance at the just-concluded Argungu Polo Tournament was expected as they were always the team to beat.
The Tidesports source reports that the four-day tournament which was organised by the Patron of NSK Farms, Nura Kangiwa, ended on Sunday.
Shagari, also the team’s Vice-President, told newsmen that in spite of finishing as runners-up in the Umaru Shinkafi Cup, the IGP Strikers were always a team to beat in any tournament.
“IGP Strikers is an old polo team which has been in existence even before I joined the Nigeria Police Force.
“It has been headed by some senior officers back in the 70s and 80s, like the late Umaru Shinkafi, Bello Abdullahi, a retired AIG, and Keifas Silas, to mention a few.
“These were great polo players back in the days. So, we were and up till now a team to beat because in all the tournaments of the Nigeria Polo Federation (NPF) we have participated in, we usually finish as winners or at the very least as runners up,” he said.
Shagari however noted that in spite of all the team’s achievements, the major challenge hampering their performance in recent times was the quality of their ponies.
“We have done very well under the leadership of Aliyu Abubakar who is the President and Captain of the IGP Strikers.
“But our major challenge now is with our ponies. They are very old and worn out as these were the same ponies we have been using back in the days for our tournaments.
“So, that is our challenge now. Nevertheless, we have very good and experienced players, some of whom are young and more skillful. Even the few old hands are still very active.
“Some of these old hands are Abubakar (+1), my self (+1), Usman Abdullahi (-1), Abubakar Awwal (-2), Abdulrahaman Mohammed (+2), Ibrahim Dantala (+2), Lado Aliyu (+2), Babawo Lawal (+1) and Nda Bala (-1),” he said.
Shagari however explained that the team’s handicap had gone up, which was a major constraint, since they lacked the quality of ponies to compete at that level.
“We are always placed at the high goal category in any tournament we enter for due to our team’s handicap.
“Unfortunately, our ponies are very weak and cannot compete at the level which we are currently.
“We often times have no choice but to settle for lesser Cups since we cannot meet up with the standard and quality of ponies required at the high goal.
“In the past, we played in the low goal, which was perfect for our ponies at that time. But how can we compete with Argentine ponies now?
“So, even though our handicaps have placed us in the high goal, our local bred ponies are no match for the Argentine ponies,” he said.
The Police Superintendent said the locally-bred ponies were small in size and slow compared to the Argentine ponies which were much bigger, faster and more expensive.
“An Argentine pony can go for as high as N2 million to N5 million and some of our competitors have between 15 and 30 of them in their arsenal.
“So, how can you compete? You are not even allowed to play a local pony with an Argentine pony.
“It is said, and polo players admit, that the pony can account for as much as 85 per cent of their overall performance.
“So, this is a big challenge for us. We love to play polo and every other team in our category know we are a team to beat. But we don’t have the ponies to play,” he said.
Shagari therefore called on the Inspector-General of Police, Commissioners of Police of the various State Commands, philanthropists as well as corporate organisations to assist the team in purchasing better ponies.
He said this would enable them compete favourably with their peers.(NAN)
Pics 1: Fencing in action.
President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, has said the country will host a unique 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships as the first sub-Saharan nation to stage the tournament, Tidesports source reports.
The championship will be held in Lagos from August 9 to 14, with the federation announcing that Rugby School Nigeria will host the event.
The Commonwealth Fencing Federation formally awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 championships to Nigeria in March 2025.
“It is the third international tournament the country will host, having also become the first to stage a junior épée World Cup, which was held in Lagos in December 2024. Nigeria also hosted the 23rd African Fencing Championships last year.
Nigeria’s hosting will be unique in several ways. First, it will be the inaugural edition on African soil, giving it historic significance. Second, we are integrating development initiatives such as an international training camp to foster technical exchange. Finally, the event will showcase African hospitality, culture, and energy, offering athletes a rich experience beyond the competition,” Samuel said on Wednesday.
“Preparations have advanced steadily across competition planning, venue readiness, logistics, athlete services, and partnerships.”
He also noted that over 24 Commonwealth nations have already registered.
“We are organising a pre-championship international training camp in Lagos to unite athletes ahead of the competition. Everything is moving in the right direction, and our focus is on delivering a world-class event that reflects Nigeria’s ability to host major international tournaments.”
The last two tournaments hosted by Nigeria were held at Charterhouse Lagos, and Samuel explained the choice of Rugby School Nigeria for this championship.
“The venue was selected for its modern, state-of-the-art facilities and its proximity to hospitality, tourism, and entertainment hubs. This ensures athletes and officials will enjoy excellent accommodation, transport, and leisure options during their stay.”
While thanking the private sector for its support in organising the championship, the president also called for greater government intervention in the fast-growing sport.
“The private sector has shown encouraging support, with institutions like Rugby School Nigeria and companies such as Flour Mills of Nigeria backing the championships. However, stronger government involvement is needed. Hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships is a milestone achievement, and we believe institutional support will help Nigeria maximise the opportunity and deliver a truly memorable event.”
The final draw was concluded at CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday and posted on the body’s website.
Notably, hosts Morocco will face a North African showdown in Group A, drawn alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, making Group A particularly competitive.
Group B features former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, alongside Uganda and debutants DR Congo.
In Group C, 2015 and 2017 champions and last year’s runners-up, Mali, will meet Angola, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
Group D is led by 2023 champions Senegal, who will face South Africa (2015 runners-up),
The eight quarter-finalists from the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The teams finishing third in each group will contest two play-off matches to determine the final two qualifiers, bringing the total number of African representatives at the global finals to ten nations.
2026 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations – Groups:
- Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
- Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
- Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
- Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana
Tidesports source reports that Nigeria will not feature at the tournament for the second consecutive edition.
The Golden Eaglets suffered a 2-0 defeat to rivals Ghana in the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers in September 2025, dashing their hopes of advancing to the finals.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their title defence at the 2026 Unity Cup with a semi-final clash against Zimbabwe on May 26 at The Valley in South London, Tidesports source reports.
The four-nation tournament, which also features Jamaica and India, returns to its historic venue after the success of the 2025 edition in Brentford, where Nigeria emerged champions.
The competition, scheduled to run from May 26 to 30, blends elite football with cultural celebration, bringing together Afrocentric and global diaspora communities.
Nigeria’s opening fixture against Zimbabwe serves as a rematch of their recent encounters in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest.
The winner will progress to the final on May 30, while the second semi-final between Jamaica and India will be played a day later.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ chances while acknowledging the quality of the opposition.
“The Nigeria Football Federation is pleased with another opportunity to see the Super Eagles compete at the highly exciting and entertaining Unity Cup Tournament,” Gusau said.
“As perennial champions, the Super Eagles will look to retain their title again this summer, even as they will not underrate the other participating teams viz India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe. The tournament promises to be explosive and that is the setting in which the Super Eagles thrive best.”
The Unity Cup will culminate in a finals day featuring both the third-place play-off and the final, alongside a festival atmosphere that includes cultural showcases, food exhibitions, and live performances.
Zimbabwe Football Association president Nqobile Magwizi described his nation’s participation as a landmark moment, highlighting the opportunity to compete on an international stage in England for the first time.
“The Unity Cup represents far more than a celebration of football and culture, it is a powerful platform that reflects Zimbabwe football’s growing ambition to compete, perform, and excel on the global stage,” Magwizi said.
With Nigeria seeking to retain their crown and rivals eager to make their mark, the opening clash against Zimbabwe is expected to set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested and culturally vibrant tournament.
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