Dubai Gold Cup challenge excites Babangida

By Ernest Ekpenyong

February 19, 2011 10:05PM


African flag bearers, EL-Amin are intensifying their preparations ahead of their second tour of Middle East for this year’s Dubai Gold Cup international polo tournament.

Since they were confirmed as the only African team that will join the world’s best polo teams to battle for the final of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup, the continental ambassadors have gone into closed camping, perfecting strategies for what would be their toughest Arabian challenge yet.

That is what it means and that is how much it matters for their teeming fans across the continent. This is the mindset of Mohammed Babangida, the proprietor and chief motivator of the EL-Amin team. They have promised to take some venom into next month’s Dubai Gold Cup Polo Tournament.

Babangida, Nigeria’s polo patron of the decade and his reigning El-Amin team are all too aware that it truly will be modern-day warfare, minus the bloodletting.

“It is like your country going into battle. It’s an incredible feeling,” said El-Amin’s chief predator, Bello Buba. The players of El-Amin know what the Dubai Gold Cup series stands for and the high level of concentration that goes with it,” Buba continued.

Experience will count

With many international caps to their names, the African hopefuls already have a firm grasp of how much is at stake every time they line up for a challenge in the coming month in Dubai.

“Yes we have been training and our chemistry is nearing the peak that we hope will power our challenge for the title,” said EL-Amin hit man, Ibrahim “Rambo” Mohammed, who added that the team will not let the challenge of being mounted affect their game.

Their long shooting patron, Babangida recognises how the team’s efforts and achievements carry real significance and national pride within the west coast and throughout the continent, giving Nigerian polo a global status, which would ultimately reflect on the health of the domestic game.

“Everything about the build-up to our Dubai Gold Cup debut shows how much it matters. That is why we hope to create an enduring sense of pride, not just nationally, but for the whole of Africa.

“Much as we hope to use this as a spring board to further cement our international presence, it is our collective resolve to take the brand El-Amin brand to the next level and to show case our talents as well as put it on notice that Nigeria and indeed African polo has come of age,” Babangida added.

Biggest thrill

Of the pitch, the biggest prospect that really thrills the El-Amin boss about this trip is the numerous business opportunities that abound with Africa’s participation in the Dubai Gold Cup series.

He explained that Dubai is a huge market place with networking opportunities and he is hoping that those who will be part of the event will log on to some of these business opportunities.

“I would love to see most of the contacts made during tournament lead to some great synergy in terms of business. I would love to see it lead to some great collaborations between our countries within the continent, Dubai and the rest of the Arab world.”

We gathered that to ensure full utilisation of the business on offer during polo extravaganza, a group of esteemed personalities from both the public and private sectors of the economy, have been invited for the trip.

“And again to perhaps help clear the negative notion being tagged on Nigerian business men and Nigerians abroad. We want to show the business community in Dubai that we have very decent people around who are genuine businessmen with requisite capacity and experience and very ready to do business in the best possible manner.”

The host is ready

The Dubai international polo series will pitch 16 ambitious teams parading many of the world stars against each other and involves the Royal Jet Cup which galloped off with fanfare last Wednesday, February 16, 2011.

The final of the Royal Jet Cup is scheduled for Friday, February 25, at the fabulous grounds of the prestigious foremost Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, at the Arabian Ranches.

The Threadneedle Gold Cup, which is fast becoming a world-class sporting event for Dubai and the United Arab Emirates two years after its inauguration will gallop off on March 2, 2011 at the same venue reputed as the heart of equestrian activity amongst residents in Dubai as well as visitors to the city.

Mohammed Al Habtoor, Founder of the Gold Cup said Dubai will, for the second year, stage an international polo tournament hosting some of the best polo teams and players in the world.

He noted that it was a lifelong dream to stage such an event in Dubai, and adding that it was a special privilege that such a prestigious and important tournament will be held in Dubai again this year.

“We are looking forward to welcoming the teams and players to the Threadneedle Dubai Gold Cup and also visitors from overseas to watch the games and enjoy our hospitality,” he said.

The glamour, excitement and passion of polo will be a fitting match to the already world renown Dubai lifestyle. Royalty, celebrities, sportsmen and families from around the region will congregate over a one week to witness the best polo players in the world play for the Gold Cup trophy, and El-Amin will be part of this star studded cast.

Over the years, the Nigerians may have created such an intimidating reputation, but the Gold Cup won’t necessarily follow them home.

Expectedly, they will get as much as they give, especially playing against some of the best professionals from Argentina, and Europe and the Arab world.

The African champions will be captained by Team patron Babangida, who has been at the helm of the team since inception. He will be joined by another foundation member, Ibrahim “Rambo” Mohammed, Aminu Alhaji and Buba.

The quartet go into this tournament with so much experience playing together, which puts them in good stead to push for the title.

They will be cheered on by a strong Nigerian contingent led by Life President of the Nigerian Polo Federation and Emir of Katsina, His Royal Highness, Abdulmumuni Kabir former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar and the Nigeria Polo Federation President, Francis Ogboro.

The high profile contingent will also include members of the National Assembly, State governors, first class emirs, business associates and thousands of their supporters across the continent. They will start arriving in the United Arab Emirates from Monday, February 21.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Sport/Polo/5678271-146/story.csp

Nice

hope it will be televised for Nigerians, we need better facilities