2018 Access Bank, UNICEF Charity Shield Polo: Rubicon, Kangimi/ A-Plus, win top laurels
The prestigious 2018 UNICEF Charity Shield polo tourney climaxed in a cliff-hanging triumph for Abuja based Rubicon and Kangimi/ A-Plus polo teams as they emerged champions, winning the Charity Shield, Access Bank Cup and Cup respectively.
The tournament consisted of 15 teams with players coming from as far as Argentina and South Africa and top Nigerian players saw three great finals in the low, medium and high-goal categories. All the fiercely contested finals which ended with narrow victories were described polo buffs as some of the most in exciting finals of the Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield polo series.
A Ten Million Nair donation by Access Bank, A special Children Day celebration and the royal participation of Emir of Zaria, HRH Shehu Idris highlighted the prestigious 2018 charity polo tournament that inaugurated in 2003 as the first ever charity polo event geared toward alleviating the plight of Children.
Since its inauguration, Access Bank and Fifth Chukker Polo &Country Resort in Kaduna have raised over One Hundred Million (N100,000,000) for UNICEF in support of its projects in aid of the education and wellbeing of vulnerable Children in Kaduna.
Chief Executive Officer of Bank Plc, Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe who made the donation in support of UNICEF campaign against HIV/AIDS pandemic among Nigerian children, said that the bank is maintaining its yearly donation of N10m in supporting UNICEF towards its projects for orphans and vulnerable children.
“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 to look forward to a better tomorrow,” the Access bank boss added.
Leighton Kings who won the UNICEF Charity Shield Cup last year, were clearly the team to beat, but it’s not to be as many times finalist Abuja Rubicon turned their nearly record in the vent o glittering gold for their first Charity Shield tile after years of playing the finals.
Team Rubicon ( Idris Badmasi, Malik Badamasi, Jamilu Mohammed and hitman, Mauel Crespo quick work of Keffi Ponys in their opening game, before outpacing hardfighting team Leighton Kings Pony (Bowale Jolasho, Abdulrahaman Mohammed, Ezekiel Matinez and Martin Jauregi) in their final clash decided before a capacity crowd at the foremost Fifth Chukker Polo & Country Club in Kaduna.
The jinx has finally been laid to a permanent rest…” screams an overjoyed Rubicon Captain, Jamilu Mohammed moments after leading his side to a slim 6-5 victory over the defending champions.
He described the breakthrough as a euphoric feeling to have won the biggest prize on the year the continental polo festival was marking its fifteenth year of competition.
Leighton King Patron, Jolasho and his warriors fought back with two opening goals, but their late push did little to boost their campaign, as the Abuja based Rubicon scored three more in the last two chukkas, for a sensational win.
“It was a nice final game. We may have lost the cup, but I’m really proud of my players and our fans across the country and beyond who stood by us throughout the campaign. While I congratulate the winners, I promise our fans better performance next year,” Jolashos assured.
Reputed for its competition and excitement, the charity thrilled with its grand finale with the Access Bank Cup final where Kangimi/A-Plus defeated Team STL 11-71/2 in the final game, to win their first ever major charity polo title.
Other winners of the weeklong polo fiesta include reputed for its competition and excitement, include the ambitious Kangimi/ A-Plus defeated Team STL 11-71/2 in Access Bank Cup final game, to win their first ever major charity polo title. Team Abuja Rubicon (11) make more memorable for their teeming Abuja supporters, outclassing a crowded field of nine teams and Nadabo Farms from Bauchi in another epic final, to win the UINCEF Cup.
“It was a fantastic campaign, but in the final game Nadabo Farms weren’t an easy one. They came out fighting and at a point took over the lead. But we were too determined to just let it slip by and I want to thank my team mates for their concentration and our numerous fans for their unflinching support,” declared Malik Badamasi who captained Rubicon (11) in the successful campaign.
Wigwe who cheered every second of the fiercely contested final games, led the Argentine Ambassador, Kaduna State First Lady, and Ethiopian Airline Country Representative, Firiehiwot Mekkon, to present prizes to the winners and the runners-ups in a colourful prize presentation ceremony.