2018 UNICEF Charity Polo: 15 teams jostle for top honours
15 highly motivated polo teams from across the country are gearing up for Africa’s premium polo extravaganza, Access Bank-UNICEF Charity Shield Polo tournament.
The event gallops-off at the Fifth Chukker Lawns of Kangimi Resort in Kaduna from Monday June 18 – to Sunday to June 24, 2018.
Executive Director, Personal Banking, Access Bank Plc, Victor Etuokwu who confirmed the tournament dates, said the bank will continue to maintain its yearly supports for UNICEF towards its projects for orphans and vulnerable children.
He noted that Access Bank and Fifth Chukker had, over the years, been supporting UNICEF and empowering people in Maraban Jos community and its environs in Kaduna.
“This year’s tournament is more than an affirmation of our commitment to socio-economic well-being of mankind and acknowledgement of the impact the initiative has had on the lives of the orphaned and vulnerable children in northern Nigeria, especially in Kaduna state,” he emphasized.
He expressed delight that the Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield is archiving its main objective of reaching out to the less privilege children in the society. “We have been working in Kaduna, in collaboration with Fifth Chukker Polo & Country Resort and UNICEF to elevate quality of lives. We need to do a lot more in support of these orphans and vulnerable children to enable them look forward to a better tomorrow,” he added.
Polo Royals confirmed that the teams comprising regulars, arch rivals and a handful of ambitious new comers would jostle for honours in three broad cup categories with the high stake Charity Shield leading the pack that include the glittering Access Bank Cup and the crowded UNICEF Cup respectively.
Three equally matched teams, Kangimi A-plus, STL and Agad are vying for the glittering Access Bank Cup, while the crowded UNICEF Cup with nine teams promise to be an exciting experience of fierce games in a potentially explosive confrontations that may remain tight up till the very final day of the grand fiesta.
Defending champions, Leighton Kings who are seeking their second Charity Shield title, will have their hands full as they battle two former finalists and more experienced opponents, Rubicon Aviation and Keffi Ranch Ponys for the continental polo crown that is too close to call.
Polo Royals also gathered from the organizers that new innovations have been added to the package to make the 2018 edition more exciting and memorable.
Marketing Manager of Fifth Chukker, Hafsat Ambursa confirmed that food and art exhibitions have been added to the package.
She also disclosed that cuisines from Senegal, Ghana, South Africa, Argentine and host Nigeria would be exhibited during the week-long charity Polo fiesta. “Fifth Chukker is proud to continue in its development of this established partnership with Access Bank and UNICEF.
“As the level of play continues to raise the bar in Nigerian polo and captures a truly international following; the charity work follows in a similar fashion,” Ambursa added.
UNICEF Partnerships Officer, Angela Ochuko Ege pointed out that: “There are millions of Nigerian children out of school and many of them are from the north.
“I do believe the power of education will transform the society. So, UNICEF looks forward to expanding this partnership (with Access Bank) to advocate the realization of children’s rights as well.”
The Access Bank Charity Shield Polo tournament was inaugurated by Fifth Chukker Polo and Country Club in 2003 as a fund raising platform wraps around the noble game of kings, to support local charity organizations.
Since 2006 when the premium charity polo came under Access Bank sponsorship, this effort has been exclusively geared towards UNICEF’s intervention projects for orphans and vulnerable children.