The Access Bank Plc., sponored charity Polo Tournament opened yesterday in Kaduna with Fifth Chukker beating Terra E&P 7 goals to 4 and half.
The match started at about 5:20 PM due the rains which made the pitch waterlogged.
But it commenced shortly after the field was cleared with handicaps in the two teams locking horns in a fierce battle.
Access Bank is sponsoring the tournament in collaboration with The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Fifth Chukker.
Twenty teams expected to feature in the competition are vying for 4 trophies, an uptick from the 15 which participated in last year’s tournament.
Executive Director, Retail Banking, Access Bank Plc, Victor Etuokwu had explained that the bank has been involved in advancing the education of children through its polo charity event for over 10 years.
“For over 10 years, Access Bank has been using polo charity events to drive educational advancements in the Northern part of Nigeria. This year, we are taking it a step further as we want to give children in that region an early start, which we hope will revitalize the educational system in the locations of focus, and give the children a chance for a better tomorrow.
“In Kaduna, we are facilitating the building of a new school which will have 60 classroom blocks and accommodate over 1,200 children. Once this is completed at the end of July, we would expand our impact to other states and consequently other regions. We are happy that we are not working alone, as we have the full support of UNICEF and Fifth Chukker and hope other banks can join us in our crusade,” he said.
Polo & Equestrian General Manager of Fifth Chukker, Barbara Zingg said that this year’s event will feature a special Children’s Day programs which will include riding lessons for 200 children, 150 of which will be underprivileged children selected by UNICEF.
She said this year’s is aimed at building on the successes of previous editions and more than N1billion has been raised for underprivileged children in Northern Nigeria through the charity event.
