By Rotimi Famakin
The Ibadan international polo tournament officially kicked off on Monday, 11th of May 2026, with six teams playing in the Ade Alakija memorial cup.
The tournament was tossed by the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Adewolu Ladoja represented by Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola.
In the opening match, the Kano Golden Abure locked horn with AA Ibadan Risevest/Inperia polo as Black the Edit Lagos tackled AA MSR Lagos while AA Port Harcourt slogged it out with Ibadan Deestinct subetra.
Outcome of the game saw Kano Golden Abure scoring 4.5 goal to defeat Ibadan RiseVest Imperial which had scored 3.
In another match Lagos MSR scored 7 goal to conquer Lagos Black the edit that left the pitch with 1 goal
The game ended with Ibadan Deestinct defeating Port Harcourt by 5 goals to 3.
Four teams including Ibadan LCG 3, Ibadan LCG Rongtai, Ibadan Lazy G and Ibadan Los Hermsnos had earlier played on Sunday due to the increase in the number of participating teams.
The Sunday match saw LCG Rongtai defeating Ibadan LCG by 8 goals to 3 while
Ibadan Los Hermsnos humbled Ibadan Lazy G by 13 goals to 5.5 goals.
Addressing the participating team, The Olubadan of ibadanland, Oba Rasheed Ladoja said it was heartwarming that the tournament which coincided with 120 anniversary of the tournament attested to the frontline position that ibadan occupied in Nigeria.
“it is an August occasion to welcome the polo association of Nigeria to Ibadan.
It is a very good honour and celebration that ibadan remains the first base of everything. You know many many years ago they are celebrating 120 years today and Ibadan is always the focus since the Awolowo days, Rotimi and Jembewon and all others up till today and you can see it. It is a good thing to celebrate and you can see the first match, Ibadan and Kano. They are very good team and Lagos team.”
“It is a good thing. I congratulate them and thank them for remembering Ibadan and Olubadan is here in absential. They have visited Olubadan and we were all there. But today I have to be here and I am here.”Oba Ajibola who said Ibadan has led and won wars in the may however not applied to sporting events.
In an interview, the President, of Ibadan polo club, Mr Bola Adeyemi said the tournament was history not only due to its coincidence with the 120 years anniversary but due to the increase in the number of participating team.
“the 2026 edition of the NPA Ibadan polo club tournament coincidentally coincide with 120byears of polo in Ibadan so it’s a historic milestone indeed. Today, is officially the opening. But we played three games yesterday because we are having so many teams in this tournament which is impressive. The rainy season and a lot of people still come. We are thankful to them.”
Mr Adeyemi who said the tournament was very exciting expressed optimism that the tournament would be hitch free.
“The games have started off great. I’ve played two games yesterday(Sunday). I played in the first two games today. The energy of the game has been really great and exciting. we are hoping for an accident free tournament. We are hoping to keep this energy all the way”
The opening match was spiced by masquerades dance display, traditional dance and the demonstration of strength by ancient Ibadan warriors.
As at the time of filing this report, the Ade Alakija memorial cup category continued on Tuesday, 12th of May, at 3 O CLOCK in the afternoon.
