Access Bank, Kano Rumbu Win Top Laurels at UNICEF Charity Polo

The first stage of the prestigious 2023 Access Bank/UNICEF Charity Shield Polo Tournament climaxed in exciting triumphs for Team Access Bank and Kano Rumbu polo teams as they emerged champions of the Access Bank Cup and the UNICEF Cup respectively.

2023 UNICEF Charity Shield polo that galloped off in grand style with the Children’s Day celebration climaxed on Sunday with Team Access Bank defeating 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 revered fundraising platform and the 2023 tournament are 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 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 has been  sponsoring 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.

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 coveted Usman Dantata Cup played in the ever-lasting memory of the late Nigerian polo icon and philanthropist.

A N10million 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 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  is hosted in phases starting with the Kaduna State, Nigeria, and then the South Africa edition before  climaxing with pomp and pageantry in Europe with the Access Bank Charity Shield Polo Day at the prestigious Guards Polo Club in London.