Leadership (Abuja)
Abdulrahman Tonga
27 May 2011
Kaduna — Mohammed Babangida and the highest Polo player in the country, Bello Buba are among the polo players to represent the country in the polo world cup qualifiers to be played in Argentina next month.
The six players who will form the team to go to Malaysia next month to battle for a ticket are Abdulmalik Badamasi (+1), Mohammed Dawule (+1), Hamisu Buba (+4), Ibrahim Mohammed (+4), Mohammed Babangida (+4) and Bello Buba (+5).
The six players are the starting lineup with two reserves. Coincidentally, the coach, Dawule Baba who did the screening and who is going to be leading the national team to Malaysia in two weeks time, was a member of the original list of ten players that were invited to camp over a month ago, to fight for positions in the new national team.
However, as a result of some changes in the coaching arrangement and duties already agreed to over a year ago – which could clash with the national team schedule, the original man slated to coach the team; Argentinean Diego White, had to be dropped and Baba picked from among the players to become the coach of the team.
Defending the new arrangement in an interview with LEADERSHIP SPORTS, the President of the Nigeria Polo Federation, Francis Ogboro, said picking Baba to become coach of the team at this point in time was very logical giving the time remaining for the national team to be formed and trained towards the all-important assignment in Malaysia.
He said that apart from the time shortage, Baba is eminently qualified to do the job of coaching the national team. Ogboro said: “Baba knows the Nigerian game inside out. He has been in it for a long time and not only knows the game, played the game to a very high level and degree. He is still playing it and he knows the players like he knows the palm of his hands.
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Nigeria: Polo National Team – Mohammed, Bello Buba Make List