Daily Independent Online.
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Monday,July 19, 2004.
The stars of MTN Kano
polo tourney
Tajudeen Dantata
Tajudeen Dantata is the current captain of
the Kano polo club. Under him this season has witnessed one of the best
organised polo tournaments in recent time.
The quite and easy going Dantata plays of a
handicap of +2 and belongs to the Dantata polo clan that has made Polo their
past time. The young man who, just like most of his colleagues grew up where
there are horses is a great striker of the polo ball. The slightly built Dantata
has been active as a Polo player since his secondary school days when players
such as the late Bala Mai Unguwa, Abdulazeez Gashash and others were in their
peak.
Perhaps that was where he got his
inspiration from and today he is as active as ever. Taju as he is fondly called
by close associates, had his first competitive match way back in 1981 after a
return from Egypt where he had gone on holiday. Though he says he was afraid at
first but was encouraged when his team overpowered their opponents from Jos.
Tajudeed Dantata has a very rich experience when it comes to administrative
work and that explains why his tenure has witnessed so much success since he
took charge.
Babangida Hassan
This stockfish Prince from Katsina
couldn’t have chosen any other sports but he is from the polo freak clan
from his state in Katsina. He is the son of the late life president of Nigeria
polo association and that explains why he couldn’t have been into any
other sport. However, the fact that Hassan comes from the ruling house in
Katsina does not preclude him from taking part in some other sports. He does so
regularly but Polo comes first when he is asked to choose.
Hassan has played polo within and outside
the country that his name rings bell wherever he mounts a horse to play. Since
joining the elite polo game years back, Hassan has a lot to show for his effort
on the polo turf. He has won most of the major tournaments he has been involved
and seems not done yet. He presently plys his game with the rave of the moment,
Kaduna Fifth Chukka, the winner of the Emir of Katsina Cup.
