EL-Amin capped the 2026 Kaduna International Polo Tournament, held as part of its 31st anniversary celebrations, by extending its record to 17 Georgian Cup titles.
The 106th staging of the event took place at Murtala Muhammed Square and lasted 10 days, the first time the tournament has run for that length. More than 40 sides competed, including professionals from Argentina, Europe and South Africa.
Teams from Kaduna dominated the leading prizes. Kaduna Sublime lifted the Emir of Katsina Cup, Kaduna Musaco secured the Imani Cup, while Duku Rocks won the EL-Amin Cup. EL-Amin also captured the Argentine Ambassador’s Cup after a 10-10 final against Malcomines, with the winner decided by a toss.
Crafted from pure Georgian silver, the Georgian Cup was donated to Kaduna Polo Club in 1919 by the British Bank for West Africa, now First Bank Plc. It remains the oldest and most sought-after polo trophy on the African continent.
“Taking the Georgian Trophy for the 17th time means so much to me. It feels like winning it for the first time,” EL-Amin patron and defender Mohammad Babangida said. “No other team has produced a longer winning record in the history of the Georgian Cup series.”
Babangida said the core of the side has remained together, featuring himself, Ibrahim Mohammed and Bello Buba. “We have competed for the Georgian Cup more than 20 times and have won it 17 times. EL-Amin is still the only team to have claimed every high-goal cup in the country.”
EL-Amin opened their contest against city rivals Jos Malcomines with an 11-7 victory, before resisting a comeback in the return match to finish level at 10-10 and take the contest on aggregate.
Babangida, who also serves as Kaduna Polo Club president, created EL-Amin with the aim of improving the level of polo in Nigeria. The organisation also nurtures emerging players through Profile Team, El-Amin Team B, the El-Amin International School Polo Academy and the EL-Amin Foundation.
The tournament also promoted an important social cause. The United Nations Population Fund organised a novelty game in observance of the International Day of the Girl Child, using the occasion to campaign against gender-based violence.
Kaduna State Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe attended the closing ceremony as Special Guest of Honour. Niger State Governor Alhaji Umar Bago and the Emir of Katsina, HRH Alhaji Abdulmumuni Kabir Usman, were also among the guests.
Babangida expressed his appreciation to the participating teams, sponsors, diplomats and supporters whose contributions helped make the festival a memorable occasion.
