Connect with us

Sports

Almat Team Retains General Hassan Cup …2017 African Patrons Polo

Published

on

Maurice Ekpenyong made history at the just-concluded 2017 African Patrons Cup Polo Tournament as he powered his Abuja Almat team to successfully defend the General Hassan Cup title they won on first attempt last year.
Lagos-based Bowale Jolasho and his Leighton Kings also shared the limelight of the biggest continental polo championship after edging two ambitious opponents to clinch the Patrons Cup.
Almat Group polo lords ( Maurice Ekpenyong, Nura Suleiman, Idris Badamasi and Rabiu Mohammed) who are still smarting from their Dantata Cup victory in Kano last month, secured a nail-biting 5-4 victory over Sheyi Tinubu’s STL/Titan ( Sheyi Tinubu, Tata Ali, Khalifa Ibrahim and Ibrahim Dantala) in the explosive final.
Having previously seen off a crowded field of eight other teams, many of them featuring Argentine and South African professionals, Almat came from behind in dying minutes of the tense final, to win  with Rabiu Mohammed scoring the golden goal three seconds to the final bell.
“It was a fantastic campaign, but in the final game, STL/Titan wasn’t an easy one. They came out fighting and at a point, took over the lead. But we were too determined to just let it slip by and I want to thank my team- mates for their concentration and our numerous fans for their unflinching support,” declared Ekpenyong who captained Almat Group in the successful title defense.
His counterpart, Sheyi Tinubu who was playing his first Patrons’ Cup tournament congratulated the winners but hailed his team mates for putting up a good fight, though the result wasn’t exactly what they expected.
The Patrons Trophy final game that drew the curtain on the prestigious polo extravaganza pitched Leighton Kings against Honourable Aliyu Wadada’s Keffi Ponys in another drama filled finale that produced 14 high class goals.
Team Leighton (Bowale Jolasho, Babangida Hassan Katsina, Manuel Crespo and Martin Jauregi) started with a spark, with three quick goals in the opening chukka and remained in the lead throughout the fiercely fought final game.
Keffi Ponys, boasting Aliyu Wadada, Bello Buba, Leroux Hendrik and Tolito Ocampo fought back with two opening goals, but their late push did little to boost their campaign, as the Lagosians scored five more for an 8-6 final scores.
Many times patron of the year, Muhammad Babangida had earlier defeated Keffi Ponys in their opening game, to hand his  Kangimi team ( Yahaya Atta, Diego White and Tom Dubrium), a runners-up winners in the Patron Cup series.
Crespo who pivoted the campaign of Leighton Kings’victory and Keffi Ponys striker, Bello Buba were adjudged the Most Valuable Players (MVPs) of the tournament, while Honourable Aliyu Wadada received special accolades as the most consistent patron African polo extravaganza.
Frontline Politician, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Speaker Kogi State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Prince Mathew, who represented Governor Yahaya Bello and Sadaukin Zazzau, His Highness Yusuf Idris, presented the prizes to the winners and the runners-up in a colourful closing ceremony at the foremost Fifth Chukker Polo &Country Resort in Kaduna.
The prestigious polo tournament which remains the only pan African polo event in the continent has built an impressive resume in a short time to becoming the biggest sporting event to support effort at eradicating the Breast Cancer in Africa  would be contested for in the eight days polo grand slam staged at the legendary Murtala Mohammed Square in Kaduna.

Continue Reading

Sports

Amusan places third in Diamond League opener

Published

on

World record holder Tobi Amusan finished third in the women’s 100m hurdles as the 2026 Diamond League season opened in Shanghai on Saturday, Tidesports source reports.

The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.

Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.

Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.

Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.

The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.

Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.

Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.

Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.

“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”

Continue Reading

Sports

Falcons To Tackle Senegal in Pre-WAFCON friendly

Published

on

Nigeria’s Super Falcons will face Senegal in a double-header international friendly during the June FIFA women’s international window as the African champions step up preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Tidesports source reports. 

The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.

The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.

“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.

“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”

The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.

With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.

The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.

Continue Reading

Sports

Okpekpe Road Race Unveils Partners, Appoints Dr. Bojuwoye

Published

on

The organisers of the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race have announced the appointment of Dr Adebukola Bojuwoye as the head of the medical unit for the 11th edition of the prestigious event, scheduled for Saturday, May 30, in Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.

As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.

His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.

In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.

The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.

The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.

It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.

Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.

Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.

We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.

Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.

It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.

The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.

The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.

Continue Reading

Trending