The first stage of the 2016 Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield Polo Tournament that was dominated by the Children Day celebration has produced its first set of winners as the prestigious event brace for its grand finale this weekend.
The debuting Iyatu Farmers who defeated Kano Titans-STL 5-41/2 in a tense UNICEF Cup final to win their first ever title in the Access Bank powered charity tournament, led other debutants to the podium as Kano BUA and Seaman team clinched the Argentine Ambassador Cup and the British High Commissioner’s Cup respectively.
Kano BUA defeated hard fighting Ibadan Jericho 5 1/2 – 5 in another close final, just as Seaman edged the ambitious Lagos Agad 4 1/2 – 4 to cart home the glittering British High Commissioner’s Cup in an exciting final.
Children from selected schools around Kaduna and its environs displayed in a special presentations that was watch by a discerning crowd that included the NICEF Country Representatives to Nigeria, Jean Gough, the Argentine Ambassador, Dzugala Gustavo, the British High Commissioner, Paul Arkwright as well as the envoys of Poland, Italy, Emirs of Zaria and Hadeja, among others.
Access Bank Zonal Head, Kaduna, Alhaji Abubakar Kaita was joined at the podium by the UNICEF Representative, envoys of British and Argentina, and the traditional rulers to hand out the prizes to the winners at a colourful closing ceremony .
Kaita who congratulated the winners for their sportsmanship, described the Access Bank partnership with UNICEF and Fifth Chukker as one of the biggest charity efforts in the country that has lifted the lives of vulnerable children in the north.
“I want to specially thank Fifth Chukker Polo and Country Club and other partners for joining hands with Access Bank in supporting UNICEF‘s campaign through the Charity Shield polo platform, ” Kaita added.
UNICEF Country Representative, Jean Gough who was elated by the performances and displays by the children and the fifteen participating teams, commended Access Bank and other partners for being there for Nigerian children over the years.
“We are hoping to get more children needing support for instance, children orphaned by HIV/AIDS – especially the girl child into schools,” says Gough who made a passionate appeal to corporate and individual bodies to lend a hand by donating to the charity effort.
“We have no doubt created the space for a lot of them to enjoy their rights to education through this partnership, but we aim to seek more community participation to achieve greater results” Cough added in her closing remarks.
The prestigious Access Bank UNICEF polo fiesta which is reputed for its high profile competitions, heads to its crucial stages Wednesday when six medium-goal and high-goal teams gallop off their campaigns for the events biggest prizes, the high stake Charity Shield.
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