All is now set for Omituntun 2.0 Cup, a one-day polo tournament put together by Ibadan Polo Club, to honour Oyo governor, Seyi Makinde, as he begins his second term in office.
According to a statement by the club on Thursday: “This tournament, we have been planning for even longer than we planned our annual tournament in May, as it was meant to be held within the annual tournament.
“However, due to its significance, that is to usher in the phase two of the new Oyo, under the leadership of His Excellency Mr Seyi Makinde, the executives of the club got the blessing of the Grand Patron, Brig Gen Amb. Oluwole Rotimi, the Trustees, Past Presidents and Past Captains to make the tournament hold isolatedly.
“This tournament, we have been planning for even longer than we planned our annual tournament in May, as it was meant to be held within the annual tournament.
“However, due to its significance, that is to usher in the phase two of the new Oyo State, under the leadership of His Excellency Mr Seyi Makinde, the executives of the club got the blessing of the Grand Patron, Brig Gen (Ambs) Oluwole Rotimi, the Trustees, Past Presidents and Past Captains to make the tournament a stand alone.”
The club further noted that: “Players in Ibadan and other invited players from around the country such as Ahmed Umar (Calabar), Glory Obana, Jibrin Ali (Lagos), Saidu Umar, Salisu Umoru, Bola Adeyemi, Carl Alakija, Edozie Onwuli (Abuja), just to mention a few whom will be playing in the intermediate goal cup.
“We also have the likes of Baba Ige who plays in England, Sherif Kasali from Lagos, Kunmi Edet from Lagos, Prince Kunmi Ajibade and Mogaji Olajuwon Subair who will join a list of others to play in the low goal cup.
“In total, five teams, twenty players and about eighty well-trained horses, will be on the field in honour of His Excellency, our traditional institutions and by extension Oyo State and the people within.
“The reason behind this classic tournament goes beyond mere competition. It’s an event that unites and showcases a different aspect of the sport of polo; its merger of diversity and promotion of friendship and mutual understanding.
“To this end, actors within the State who are focused on community building have been brought together as team(s) and tournament sponsors such as Mogaji Engr Dotun Sanusi ( Team Ilaji), Amb Taofeek Arapaja (Team Arapaja), Mogaji Joseph Tegbe (Team Tegbe), Oloye Abiola Iyiola (Team Anlamole), Mogaji Olajuwon Subair (Team Ile Nla).”
