The prestigious 2016 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 had
something for everyone.
From the Argentine National Day anniversary, to the Children
Day celebration, and the cliff hanging finals of the Access Bank Cup and
Charity finals, the 2016 edition of the richest charity polo event in Africa
was a huge success on all fronts especially for the Internally Displaced Persons
(IDPs) in northern Nigeria,
The charity polo extravaganza took off in grand style with
the UNICEF Cup that pitted 15 teams in fierce battles that had the British High
Commissioner, Paul Arkwright and the Argentine Ambassador to Nigeria, Gustavo
leading the diplomatic community to event.
The jostling came to an exciting climax with Iyatu Farms
beating Titan /STL 5 - 4 1/2 to win the UNICEF Cup. Kano BUA also edged
debuting Ibadan Jericho 5 1/2 - 5 in the subsidiary final to clinch the
Argentinean Ambassador's Cup.
UNICEF Charity polo extravaganza, is about the noble game of
kings being presented with the pomp and exuberance of every sport, such as fans
rushing the field at the conclusion of an incredible Access Bank Cup final game
this year.
That unforgettable magic that saw Diego White’s pivoted
Caverton Saopolo clinching their first major title, truly highlighted the
tournament this year. The Lagos based team came back from three goals deficit,
to score three un-replied goals in the last chukka to clinch a sensational 6-5
victory against local rival, Lagos Ashton .
"This was a must-win for us and definitely we were up
for it. What pleased me, I think, was our fighting spirit. In our first game,
we were running the ball a lot, but especially in this final we turned them
around with our close markings and that was definitely great for us."
Declared Caverton skipper, Rotimi Makanjuela .
“Obviously, we are massively disappointed with the result,
all credit to the champions. They played
really well and they really stuck in it till the end. In the third and the
fourth chukka we were on top of the game, we were really going for it but,
Caverton Saopolo pulled away and won."
Sherif Shagaya, Kashton patron, said sadly.
The quest for the 2016 Charity Shield final was a neck –to-
neck confrontation between defending champions Access Bank Fifth Chukker and
MRS boosting Idris Badamasi (+2), Bashir Dantata (+3), Leroux Hendrix (+5) and
Tom De Bruin (+7).
The Dantata Boys had jumped lead in the opening chukkas,
before succumbing to the firepower of Access Bank Fifth Chukker quartet of Lawal Mohammed (0), Bello Buba
(+4), Julio Estrada (+7) and Manuel Crespo who scored late goals to win 9-8.
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 in Kaduna State.
The Nigerian edition of the
tournament is the first phase of the series climaxed in Europe with the Access Bank Charity Shield
Polo Day at the prestigious Guards Polo Club in London next month.
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