Kaduna Polo Club has finalized plans for the second Dawule Baba Memorial Polo Tournament, staging the event in tribute to the late Nigerian polo figure who passed away last year in Egypt at the age of 66.
Key takeaways
- The Kaduna Polo Club will host the second Dawule Baba Memorial Polo Tournament to honour the late polo icon.
- The four-day competition is scheduled for June 11–14, 2026 at the polo grounds of Murtala Mohammed Square in Kaduna.
- More than 14 teams are expected to compete across three handicap-based categories: high-goal, medium-goal and low-goal.
- The programme includes the Clearwater Youth Challenge, a Beginners’ division and a Veterans’ event.
- Clearwater Polo Farm is sponsoring the Clearwater Beginners Cup and the Clearwater Youth Challenge Cup.
Event details and categories
The memorial tournament is set to run for four days from June 11 to June 14, 2026, at the polo grounds of Murtala Mohammed Square in Kaduna. The competition is expected to attract over 14 teams, with matches organised across three main categories: high-goal, medium-goal and low-goal.
Beyond the main handicap divisions, the tournament programme will feature the Clearwater Youth Challenge, a dedicated Beginners’ category, and a Veterans’ competition. The Veterans’ segment will involve polo supporters who played alongside Dawule Baba during his peak years in the sport.
Tribute to “Polo Professor” Dawule Baba
Dawule Baba—widely known in sporting circles as the “Polo Professor” and “Teacher”—was serving as a member of the Board of Trustees of Kaduna Polo Club at the time of his death.
In a statement, the Tournament Committee described the tournament as a celebration of the late patron’s enduring influence. It said his contribution to the growth of polo in Kaduna, across Nigeria and internationally “cannot be quantified.”
Although the event will primarily include teams based in Kaduna, it is open to players and squads from throughout the country.
“In honour of a legend, the four-day polo fiesta is open to everyone — polo patrons, players, teams and enthusiasts — who wish to join us in an event of prayers, polo and remembrance for Dawule Baba, The Teacher,” the committee said.
Clearwater sponsorship and youth pathway
Gen. Kapeh Kazir, First Vice-President of Kaduna Polo Club and Chairman of Clearwater Polo Farm, said the achievements and mentoring legacy of the Nigerian polo ambassador should be preserved for younger generations. He added that Clearwater Polo is sponsoring both the Clearwater Beginners Cup and the Clearwater Youth Challenge Cup, reflecting Dawule Baba’s commitment to guiding developing players.
Kazir said Dawule Baba had been part of the team and routinely offered technical guidance and encouragement even before his passing. He said the sponsorship ensures those values—training, mentoring and support—continue to shape the next set of polo players.
Career highlights and how the memorial began
During his playing days, Dawule Baba maintained a handicap of plus-five for a decade before dropping to plus-four in 1998. He later returned to plus-five, with Bello Buba also reaching that same handicap level.
He represented Usman Dantata’s team in the United States, England, Brazil and several other countries. Later, he joined the Allied Ranch of Muktar Aruwa, competing in the USA, England and Nigeria.
The inaugural edition of the memorial tournament, which has since extended to South Africa, featured the unveiling of the Dawule Baba Polo Field on the final day. Kaduna Polo Club President Mohammad Babangida led the Board of Trustees, alongside Vice-President Kazir and members of the Management Committee, during the unveiling ceremony.
Speaking at the event, Babangida said Dawule Baba’s passion for polo, sportsmanship and lasting legacy on and off the field would be remembered with admiration and respect. He then led the DeeBee Polo team to victory in the inaugural Dawule Baba Memorial Cup.
Since then, the cup has been institutionalised as one of the principal prizes contested at tournaments held in Kaduna.
