Pulse.ng : 30 professional teams head for Katsina polo tournament

By Abbas Bamalli

Dr Muhammad Usman-Sarki, the Chairman of Katsina Polo Club, says 30 professional teams are set to participate in its 2023 tournament in the state.

Usman-Sarki, who disclosed this while addressing newsmen on their preparations for the tournament, said it will commence from Aug. 26 to Sept. 2.

According to the chairman, 15 of the professional teams and players are Katsina-based while the others are from across the country.

He explained that professional players from the state, Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Abuja and Lagos states were expected to play during the tournament.

“This year’s tournament, we have the confidence and assurance that people will enjoy it because it is going to be different from the previous tournaments.

“This year’s tournament is going to be different from that of the previous years, especially that about 30 professional teams are expected to participate.

“We have never had a time that about 30 professional teams participated, except this edition in Katsina,” he said.

According to him, there are different cups at stake during the tournament, which include the Nigerian Cup, which is the highest among them.

Others include late Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina Cup, Talba Ibrahim Zakari Cup and Wazirin Katsina Cup.

He further assured that all the necessary arrangements for a hitch-free tournament, especially regarding the participants, guests and other supporters, had been completed.

According to Usman-Sarki, the club has also completed necessary arrangements with the security agencies to ensure the safety of people during the tournament.

Dr Usman-Sarki further appealed to the general public to conduct themselves in orderly manners throughout the tournament.

He added that the club had improved tremendously in recent years.

“This time around we are going to play the beginners cup three times, unlike the previous years that we used to play once.

“The aim to play the beginners cup three times is to encourage the upcoming players,” the club’s Chairman revealed.

He also commended the Grandpatron, the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumin Kabir-Usman, the state government as their major sponsor, and others for their support.(NAN)