ADIEUS DAWULE BABA
Your boots are off, the helmet is down, and your mallet is hung up, but your legacy lives on.
It is Shakespeare who said, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” Indeed, “Teacher” mounted this stage with courage and gusto, exploded like a dynamite, and gave his all in humility and dignity. He was simply a man who lived his life doing what he loved best. He lived with horses, played polo, and spread love and laughter. So, when Shakespeare says, “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them,” he probably did not envisage that one man could be all. The horse was his heritage, and he excelled through hard work, dedication, and focus to become world renowned in the game and business of horses. He became a master, and everyone who came close to him sought and freely got his counsel. Eventually, he became “Teacher,” “Professor,” and personified greatness. He excelled in the best of human nature. He was indeed a teacher, not only of this WARRIOR SPORT but also of human relations.
Like with every play, the stage must be vacated at some point, so did Teacher, with honour and dignity. For you, the curtain has closed, but your legacy lives in the body and soul of the numerous whose lives you have affected and positively changed forever—on or off the pitch.
The field will miss your thunder, but your legacy echoes louder than ever in our hearts. For those on and about the polo field, you are a legend forver—indelibly inscribed in our hearts, body, and soul. As far as the King’s game is played on earth, your name shall forever echo.
I bid you adieu, Polo Professor!
May we be united in heavenly bliss.
May lessons you have imbued in us continue to shine our path.
I bid you, Adieu, my TEACHER.
Gen Kapeh Kazir Rtd
1st VP Kaduna Polo Club