Polo: GTBank wins Royal Salute Coronation Cup

The GTBank Commonwealth Team, made up of players from Pakistan, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada at the weekend defeated the England team to win one of Polo’s most iconic trophies.

The match, which was played on the prestigious Smiths Lawn at Guards Polo Club, Ascot, within the magnificent surroundings of Windsor Great Park in London, United Kingdom.

According to a statement from the sponsored of the tournament, the GTBank Commonwealth Team defeated the England Team 12 - 11 in what was an amazing showpiece of fast-paced polo filled with pure passion, competitiveness and fair play.

The Commonwealth team, represented by South African Chris Mackenzie, Canadian Freddie Mannix, Pakistani Hissam Ali Hyder and New Zealander John Paul Clarkin defeated an English team of tournament veterans Jack Richardson, Max Charlton, James Beim and James Harper to become only the second guest team to win Royal Salute Coronation Cup since 2009.

“This year’s Royal Salute Coronation Cup showcased international polo at its best. I would like to thank the organizers of this event for creating a world-class platform on which to promote polo to an increasing audience,” Brigadier John Wright, Chairman of the Hurlingham Polo Association was quoted as saying.

The Royal Salute Coronation Cup is one of the most historic of polo trophies which annually pits the finest international players against the England team in a contest attended by members of the British Royal Family as well as distinguished personalities from the world’s Diplomatic, Aristocratic, Business, Arts, Government and Celebrity circles

Commenting on the Bank’s sponsorship of the Commonwealth Team, Segun Agbaje, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, said; “We are proud to sponsor the Commonwealth Team in a tournament that is second to none in the world of Polo and which showcases the noble values of passion, quality and competitiveness - values deeply enshrined in the GTBank culture and which have made the bank a truly African and proudly international financial institution.”