Brothers Amani, Jadini In Kenya Squad To Face Zambia

NAIROBI, Kenya- Brothers and Team Samurai sensations, Amani and Jadini Nzomo are among the players who will represent the country in a three-day Under 18 tournament against Zambia at Manyatta Polo Club in Gilgil.

Kenya Polo Association (KPA) included the siblings in their squad of 12 for the tournament that will run from August 24 to 26.

Amani and Jadini starred for Kenya Nut and Ovidian in the Overseas Motor Transport (OMT) Bowl tournament that concluded at the Nairobi Polo Club last weekend.

“I’m happy to earn my first call-up into the national team. This could not have been possible without support from my parents.

“Apart from providing us with ponies for training, they are always there to offer us moral support during practice and in contests,” Jadini, who is a handicap -1.0 player, underscored.

Amani, also of the same seeding, was on the rampage as he led Kenya Nut to a narrow 5.5-4 win against Governors Camp in the OMT Bowl final on Sunday evening.

“I want to thank my team-mates, Nikki Ngugi, Will Millar and Rowena Stichbury for this victory.

“Without them, probably the scouts could not have been in a position to recognize my effort and select me for the Kenya polo team job,” Amani underlined in his acceptance speech.  

Double victory

Amani and Jadini are best remembered to have led their Samurai team to double victory early this year.

They were the marksmen for Samurai who edged Royal Salute 5-4 to lift Maria Bencivenga Trophy in January, 2018.

They were also on fire as Samurai edged Mombasa Island Cargo Terminal 6-5 to successfully defend the Soldiers Salute Cup later in the month, with Jadini voted the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

The KPA chairman, Gordy Millar, said the squad will start training every weekend in Gilgil starting August, 2018 ahead of their encounter with Zambia.

“This is the second time Zambia will be coming to Kenya for a similar competition.

“This challenge is important to the country as it will enable Kenya to improve its polo ranking at the same time the players will have opportunity to better their seeding,” Millar highlighted.

“A plan is also underway to come up with U12, 15, 17 sides for the national team,” Millar explained.

Meanwhile, action now turns to Kenya Open International from September 4 to 6 following completion of Lord Cranworth Cup, Bwana Begg Trophy and Connaught Cup tournaments at Jamhuri Grounds last weekend.

Kenya Open International is a unique event because teams are allowed to dig deep into their pockets to import the best players from across the world.

Nairobi Polo Club vice chairman, Raphael Nzomo, whose Samurai club will be defending the title, is eying to fortify his squad with two handicap five South Africans.

“Samurai will import Brian McGibbons and Lance Watson for the great showpiece. This competition is a must watch because it is fast, furious and adrenaline filled,” Nzomo accentuated.

Kenya U-18 Squad To Play Zambia on August 24-28 in Gilgil

1.Ben Stonewigg

2.Harry Stichbuty

3.Omakwe Arungah

4.Megan Griffiths

5.Tom Stonewigg

6.William Millar

7.Izzy Stichbury

8.Jadini Nzomo

9.Taru Mwanto

10.Toby Grammaticus

11.Amani Nzomo

12.Lochie Stichbury

WEEKEND TOURNAMENT RESULTS

Connaught Cup final results

Royal Salute             8.5                  8 White Cap

Bwana Begg Cup final results

Space and Style       3                      2 Four Of A Kind

Lord Cranworth Cup final results

Guards                       7                      6.5 White Cap

OMT Bowl final

Kenya Nut                 3                      1          Ovidian

D-Division Tournament winners- Off Beat

Best Playing Pony-Jessica Flight ridden by Raphael Nzomo

Unsung Hero Trophy winner- Tony Sugden of Space and Style