The Lagos Polo Club says all is set for the 120th edition of its International Polo Tournament, scheduled to gallop off from January 23 to February 18 at the club.

A statement by Ernest Ekpenyong, spokesman for the tournament committee, said the 2024 Lagos polo extravaganza would mark its 120th anniversary.

He said the tournament had, over the century, remained a captivating fusion of elegance, excitement and cultural vibrancy transcending traditional boundaries.

The 2024 edition has a record number of about 30 teams jostling for top honours in four major prizes and six subsidiary laurels.

Olumayowa Ogunnusi, the head of the committee, said the polo festival would be decided over four weeks of high-octane polo showpiece, making the event the biggest polo tournament in Africa.

Mr Ogunnusi stated, “Over 30 teams fortified with awesome horsepower and top players across the world have been confirmed to vie for top honours in the month-long prestigious fiesta.

“The event prides itself as the first polo tournament in the country, dating back to the early 1900s.

“Details of the schedules show that participating teams will be jostling for the event’s biggest prize – the Majekodunmi Cup, the Open Cup, the Lagos Cup, the Silver Cup and a handful of subsidiary prizes.”

He added, “Subsidiary prizes to be competed for include the Oba of Lagos, Governor’s Cup, Adedapo Ojora Memorial Cup, Sani Dangote Cup, the Italian Ambassador’s Cup, the Independence Cup, Lagos Heritage Cup and Chief of Naval Cup, among others.”

The third week will see teams vying for the Low Cup from February 6 to 11.

Mr Ogunnusi also said that the grand finale final week would draw the curtain on the annual fiesta that is steeped in tradition and elegance.

It will see a crowd of equally matched low-goal teams slugging it out for the Silver Cup from February 13 to 18 in what promises to be a fitting cap to Africa’s richest polo extravaganza.

Mr Ogunnusi also commended the main sponsor, GTCO, and others that have gained a reputation as one of the biggest polo tournaments in Africa, adding that the club looked forward to delivering great values for the sponsors and participants during the epoch fiesta.

(NAN)