The 2026 Kaduna international polo tournament that celebrated the 31st anniversary of EL-Amin and Nigeria’s rich heritage came to a thrilling climax with EL-Amin setting a record of 17 Georgian Cup victories.

The international polo tournament highlighted a historic, record-setting edition that concluded at the legendary Murtala Muhammed Square in Kaduna, with Kaduna Sublime defeating determined opposition to clinch the glittering Emir of Katsina Cup.

Marking its 107th anniversary, the tournament featured an extended 10-day high-octane format for the first time in its century-plus history, attracting over 40 teams and top-tier professional players from Argentina, Europe, and South Africa.

Kaduna Musaco ran an impressive campaign, defeating a crowded field of ambitious opponents to cart home the Imani Cup. Duku Rocks polo team rampaged through a battery of turbo-charged rivals to clinch the popular El-Amin Cup.

Defending champions, El-Amin, who secured their new Georgian Cup title, were held to a thrilling 10-10 draw against rivals Malcomines in the last game of the tournament for the Argentine Ambassador’s Cup, but they won the laurel on a toss.

Made from pure Georgian silver some centuries back, the cup was presented in1919 to the Kaduna Polo Club to be competed for by high-goal teams by the then British Bank for West Africa, now First Bank Plc; to date, no team besides EL-Amin has attempted this new victory record.

Unarguably Nigeria’s most accomplished team ever, EL-Amin polo organisation made history on their Silver Jubilee celebration, defeating Abuja Rubicon for a record 15th title of the highly revered Georgian Trophy.

It was on this very ground that they achieved their high-goal status, earning their first Georgian title in 1999. Ironically, it was at the same legendary Murtala Square in Kaduna that they lost their treasured crown to Abuja Rubicon last year.

“Winning the Georgian Trophy for the 17th time means everything to me. I feel like it’s my first win,” team patron and defender, Mohammad Babangida, declared.

“We are happy we participated in the tournament; we are happier we won the Georgian Cup, which is the longest winning run by any team in the history of the Georgian Cup series”, he added in a chat.

“Interestingly, the team has been together for a longtime now, with almost the same players, myself, Ibrahim Mohammed and Bello Buba.” He pointed out.

“We have contested for the Georgian Cup over twenty times and, having won it seventeen times, EL-Amin remains the only team to have won all high goal cups across the country.”

The elated Kaduna Polo Club president thanked all the participating teams, sponsors, diplomats and dignitaries for making the 2026 Kaduna Polo Festival such an exciting and memorable event.

He lauded all the winners of the event. “It’s the 2026 edition of the Kaduna polo tournament. We are happy we participated in this tournament that celebrates EL-Amin’s 31st anniversary as a dominant high-goal polo team in the country, the Kaduna polo boss added.

The 2026 festival integrated strong social awareness campaigns. Notably, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) organised a special novelty match during the tournament to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child and raise awareness against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, was at the closing ceremony as one of the special guests of honour, with the Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Umar Bago, and the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumuni Kabir Usman, also among the dignitaries. (The Guardian)