The national fight to combat the spread of the dreaded Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) pandemic has taken its toll on the game of kings whose season was gathering momentum since its gallops off with fanfare in the Garden City, Port Harcourt, in January.
Polo Royals can authoritatively reports that the 2020 Ibadan annual polo tournament that was earlier billed to gallops off tomorrow (Monday) has been put off indefinitely, following government directive on any sporting gathering in excess of fifty people.
Ibadan Polo Captain, Koyinsola Owoeye who confirmed this in an exclusive chat with Polo Royals, disclosed that postponement will remain till the management committee that is closely monitoring situation, announce a new date for the 2020 edition of the polo fiesta.
Polo Royals checks also revealed that before this (COVID-19) imposed decision, the ancient city of Ibadan, was bubbling to host the prestigious 2020 Ibadan Polo Tournament reputed as the biggest sports cum tourism event in Oyo State, with over twenty teams across the country participating.
‘This is to inform the general public that the NPA Ibadan International Polo Tournament initially slated to take place from March 31- April 2, 2020, has been postponed till further notice.’
The statement by the tournament committee added that the decision was ‘due to the Ibadan Polo Club management’s concern for public health and safety as a result of (COVID-19) pandemic.
Before the dreaded (COVID-19) pandemic bump off Ibadan 2020 indefinitely, Nigeria’s premier polo club had earlier announced a temporary closure of Lagos Polo Club in Ikoyi, Lagos.