By Our Reporter

When the final chukker was sounded at the Jos Polo Pitch, one figure neatly captured the spirit of the 2025/2026 Jos International Polo Tournament: Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu—lawmaker, polo patron, and player—who blended leadership and sportsmanship in a week that celebrated unity, tradition, and elite competition.
For Senator Wadada, the tournament was not just a social gathering or a sporting spectacle; it was a personal stage. As Captain of the Keffi Ponys and promoter of the Keffi Polo Ranch, he rode out not merely as a distinguished guest but as an active competitor, drawing applause for his disciplined play and deep understanding of the game. His presence underscored a rare balance—political influence matched by commitment on the field.
The grand finale attracted an array of high-profile dignitaries, including the Honourable Minister of Defence, the Emir of Bauchi, and other prominent figures from across Nigeria. Their attendance further elevated the tournament’s profile as a platform where governance, tradition, and sport intersect—an arena of soft diplomacy played out on horseback.
Throughout the week, the Jos International Polo Tournament delivered high-octane encounters marked by tactical depth and technical finesse. Pop Cola lifted the Imani Cup after edging Trapco in a tense contest, while 5th Chukkas overpowered the host team, Malcomines, to clinch the Governors Cup with commanding coordination.
Excitement peaked again in the President Cup, where Aramis Wabson Globas triumphed over PH YBL FB9, thrilling spectators with a display that blended speed, strategy, and precision. The curtain finally fell with the Renewed Hope Cup, as host team Malcomines defeated the Keffi Ponys in an entertaining and fiercely contested final that kept fans on their feet.
Speaking after the tournament, Senator Wadada reflected on polo’s wider significance beyond trophies and titles.
“Polo is more than a sport; it is a vehicle for unity, friendship, and national cohesion,” he said. “Our commitment through the Keffi Polo Ranch is to nurture talent, expand participation, and use sports as a tool for peace and development across communities.”
His words echoed the broader mood among participants and observers, many of whom praised the organisers for preserving the tournament’s heritage while steadily raising its competitive standards. For them, the Jos International Polo Tournament has become a symbol of resilience—proof that elegance, discipline, and excellence still thrive in Nigerian sports.
As the dust settled and the horses were led off the field, one conclusion stood firm: the 2025/2026 Jos International Polo Tournament was more than a sporting event. It was a meeting point of leadership and leisure, tradition and modernity—led, fittingly, by figures like Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, who continue to champion polo as a bridge between communities and a quiet force for national unity.