The first stage of the prestigious 2023 Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield polo tourney climaxed in exciting triumphs for Team Access Bank and Kano Rumbu polo teams as they emerged champions, winning the Access Bank Cup and the UNICEF Cup respectively.
Team Access Bank defeated former champions, Abuja Rubicon 3-21/2 in a closely fought final to clinch the glittering Access Bank Cup, while debutants, kano Rumbu edged SKK Farm from Kaduna to win the UNICEF Cup, their first ever Charity Shield major title.
The highly revered charity fundraising platform and the 2023 tournament is an affirmation of the commitment of Access Holdings and its partners to socio-economic wellbeing of the society, 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.
Off the pitch, one of the major highlights of the opening stage of the annual charity event was undoubtedly the Children’s Day celebration with the immediate past First Lady of First Lady of Kaduna State and UNICEF Charity Shield Ambassador, Hajia Aisha Ummi el-Rufai as the mother of the Day.
The Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield polo which inaugurated its latest frontier in South Africa has raised over N400 million for UNICEF in support of projects aimed at alleviating the plights of the underprivileged children in Kaduna State and its environs.
Access Holdings had sponsored the tournament since 2003 through Access Bank, providing additional training for children and caregivers to increase knowledge and skills around nutrition, healthcare, hygiene and psycho-social support, with additional life skills and civic education for older children.
Income generated from gate takings, sales of souvenirs and donations from well-meaning individuals are donated to UNICEF to support orphans and vulnerable children in their care, including providing healthcare and education supplies.
The second and grand finale of the 2023 charity polo fiesta continues this week with 11 teams loaded with professional players from Europe, Argentina and the best of their Nigerian counterparts jostling for two major prizes, the Usman Dantata Cup and the event’s biggest prize, the Charity Shield.
Three former winners, Abuja Rubicon, Haske & Williams from Yola and Golden Alchemy from Lagos are leading six other equally determined teams in the chase for the highly revered Usman Dantata Cup played in the ever-lasting memory of the late Nigerian polo icon and philanthropist.
A N10m donation by Access Holdings and one of the biggest charity polo prizes in the world, the Charity Shield Cup would undoubtedly be the hallmarks of this year’s event, as defending champions, Fifth Chukker team and last year’s runners-up take to the pitch for another make or mar contest.
From the serene lawns of Fifth Chukker Polo & Country resort, the international polo fiesta which is hosted in phases starting in Kaduna state, Nigeria, will move to South Africa and climaxes with pomp and pageantry in Europe with the Access Bank Charity Shield Polo Day at the prestigious Guards Polo Club in London.
