All set for the Northern Kenya Polo Championships

[Photo: Courtesy]

Excitement is back after Kenya Polo Association announced the second schedule of their calendar of events, which was affected by the coronavirus pandemic last year.

However, the season opened well in January and February with a series of five competitive competitions at Nairobi Polo Club before the sporting activities were abruptly stopped following a sudden surge in COVID-19 cases in five counties.

The surge forced a lockdown in the five counties of Nairobi, Nakuru, Machakos, Kiambu and Kajiado.

The second series, which commence with Northern Kenya Polo Championships, heads to Northern Kenya Polo Club in Timau from June 4-6, officials confirmed.

Kenya Polo Association Secretary General Silke Hampson confirmed the new development and was emphatic of the new season after a lull of three months, which resulted in players dropping out of training.

“Only a few players have been training for the past few weeks but most of us resume on our training schedule this weekend with our ponies, which are equally unfit. We’ll gain full fitness as more tournaments come by,’ Hampson told The Standard Sports.

Gordy Millar (right) of Dasani battles for the ball with Silke Hampson of Fanta during the Division Three polo match at Manyatta Polo club in Gilgil Nakuru county on June 3, 2018. [Kipsang Joseph/Standard]

The club captain Casimir Gross said the first tournament will be a curtain-raiser to the next competition, which could attract high profile players.

“The second tournament coming up next weekend could attract high profile players compared to the first one owing to a number of reasons,” he said.

He said more details of the whole tournament will be released on June 2 after consultations with KPA council.

Hampson said on Friday the weather in Timau was suitable for all riders and their ponies adding that the two successive tournaments will be hosted without much ado.

“The climatic conditions in Timau are favourable to players and their ponies and we are raring to go,” Hampson said.