Fashion and champagne grace Nigeria polo party

Spectator Mawuli Gavor chats with Mimi Onaloja and Ini Okojie during the 2019 Lagos International Polo Tournament in Lagos, Nigeria March 17, 2019. Picture taken March 17, 2019. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

LAGOS (Reuters) - When polo comes to Lagos, the champagne flows and exuberant fashion colours adorn the green fields.

While most Nigerians would never trade their love of soccer, the commercial capital still hosts the biggest polo tournament in West Africa, with trophies fiercely disputed against a backdrop of glitz and glamour for the upper class.

"Polo has shifted from just the sports to a fashion statement," said Mudrakat Alabi-Macfoy, wearing an airy white kaftan with a multi-coloured floral necklace and head wrap at the Lagos Polo Club.

A bartender stands at a Veuve Clicquot champagne bar during the 2019 Lagos International Polo Tournament in Lagos, Nigeria March 16, 2019. REUTERS/ Afolabi Sotunde

"For me it is something fun, something playful, something whimsical, something comfortable ... a bit of colour, a bit of pop," said Alabi-Macfoy, who works as a lawyer when not watching polo.

In a nation with the world's highest number of people in extreme poverty, the often-dubbed "sport of kings" is prohibitively expensive for the majority.

First introduced by British colonial servicemen, polo has been played in Nigeria for over a hundred years and nearly all the teams are owned by local multi-millionaires.

A commentator is pictured during a polo match at the 2019 Lagos International Polo Tournament in Lagos, Nigeria March 16, 2019. REUTERS/ Afolabi Sotunde

"It is an expensive sport because, you know, your horses are like babies," said Koyinsola Owoeye, who has been playing polo since 2007, seduced by his father's love of the sport.

A horse can cost about $40,000 - then there is upkeep.

"Maintenance is not easy. Today they can be well, tomorrow they can have, you know, malaria, fever, colic, or even get injured on the field or on their way to the tournament," Owoeye said.

A woman applies makeup during a polo match at the 2019 Lagos International Polo Tournament in Lagos, Nigeria March 16, 2019. REUTERS/ Afolabi Sotunde

The 2019 Lagos International Polo Tournament, which wound up on Sunday, fielded 33 teams from Nigeria, Argentina, South Africa, Kenya and the United Kingdom.

(Reporting by Afolabi Sotunde, Nneka Chile and Seun Sanni in Lagos; Writing by Paul Carsten; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)

Spectator Emilia Jane wears a hat as she walks on grass after a match at the 2019 Lagos International Polo Tournament in Lagos, Nigeria March 17, 2019. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

A spectator holds a fan at the 2019 Lagos International Polo Tournament in Lagos, Nigeria March 17, 2019. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

Lawyer Mudrakat Alabi Macfoy arrives at Lagos Polo Club during the 2019 Lagos International Polo Tournament, Nigeria March 16, 2019. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

A spectator poses for a picture during the 2019 Lagos International Polo Tournament, Nigeria March 16, 2019. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

Spectators react during a match at the 2019 Lagos International Polo Tournament, Nigeria March 17, 2019. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

Polo players listen to an official before a match at the 2019 Lagos International Polo Tournament, Nigeria March 16, 2019. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

A spectator uses her mobile for a selfie during the 2019 Lagos International Polo Tournament, Nigeria March 17, 2019. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

Members of the Kaduna polo team celebrate after winning a match during the 2019 Lagos International Polo Tournament, Nigeria March 17, 2019. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

Rilwan Akiolu, Oba of Lagos, embraces Erelu Abiola Dosunmu at the 2019 Lagos International Polo Tournament, Nigeria March 16, 2019. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

Polo players compete during a match at the 2019 Lagos International Polo Tournament, Nigeria March 16, 2019. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

Horses are pictured during the 2019 Lagos International Polo Tournament, Nigeria March 16, 2019. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

Elizabeth Oputa, manager of champagne brands at Moet Hennessy, speaks on the phone during the 2019 Lagos international polo tournament, Nigeria March 17, 2019. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

Spectators are gathered on the course during the 2019 Lagos international polo tournament in Lagos, Nigeria March 17, 2019. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

Spectators Vonne Nwosu, Ini Okojie and Mimi Onaloja pose with a polo player after a match at the 2019 Lagos International Polo Tournament in Lagos, Nigeria March 17, 2019. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde