Kings, Saopolo, STL-Titan, rule Access Bank UNICEF Charity Polo 2017
The prestigious 2017 Access Bank UNICEF Charity Polo Tournament that came to a flourishing climax last weekend at the Fifth Chukker Polo & Country Club Grounds of the serene Kangimi Resort in Kaduna has something for everyone.
From the pictorial exhibition marking the centenary of Kaduna city, to the special Children Day celebration, and the royal participation of Emir of Kano, HRH Sanusi Lamido (11) who led seven other first class Emirs to the exciting Charity finals, the 2017 edition of the richest charity polo event in Africa was a huge success on all fronts especially for the less privilege.
The polo extravaganza took off with the Access Bank Cup that pitted 12 teams in fierce battles that had the Argentine Ambassador to Nigeria, Gustavo leading the diplomatic community to event; saw three Lagos based team carting home three of the major prizes at stake.
Honorable Ahmed Wadada’s Keffi Pony that lost the Charity Cup title to Leighton Kings in the final wrote their names in gold, defeating Abuja Rubicon 7-4 to clinch the glittering Argentine Ambassador Cup.
Leighton Kings, Saopolo, STL-Titan, Tavia-Goodfellows won the Charity Shield, Access Bank Cup and UNICEF Cup and WAPIC Cup respectively.
Emir of Kano, Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sanni Bello, Access Bank CEO, Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe, Argentine Ambassador, His Excellency and UNICEF Deputy Country Representative, Perlini Ironside, gave out the prizes at a colourful presentation, bringing to an end what was truly a successful event for Access Bank and Fifth Chucker in one of the most renowned polo and country resorts in the world.
Besides the fight for laurels by polo teams on the field, the Access Bank Fifth Chukker Charity Shield fund raising platform with UNICEF, which has over the years raised over One Hundred Million (N100,000,000) also impacted on the rural community of Maraban Jos and its environs in Kaduna with provisions of basic social amenities like water supply, electricity and employment of thousands of locals, thus making it not only Nigeria’s biggest charity platform, but one of the most revered humanity efforts in the world as well.
Access Bank Plc as one of the few Nigerian financial institutions that have maintained a defined corporate social responsibility strategy since its inception, has maintain it sole sponsorship of the charity initiative for a decade now, donating additional N10 million at every edition of the event to UNICEF for the project, while Fifth Chukker pioneers and host the event annually .
The Charity Shield began in 2003 as platform to support local charity organizations in Kaduna. Since 2006 this humanitarian effort has been geared exclusively towards UNICEF intervention projects for orphans and vulnerable children.
A remodeled primary school and rural water projects funded by the Access Bank, Fifth Chucker and UNICEF Charity Shield partnership were commissioned recently. This lauded achievement has continually received thumps-up from governments, traditional ruler and diplomatic community in the country.