The prestigious 2024 UNICEF Charity Shield Polo Tournament climaxed at the weekend with exciting victories for Kaduna-based duo Fifth Chukker and Barbedos.
The event was marked by the inauguration of the Herbert Wigwe Cup and the commissioning of a school project by Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani.
Governor Sani who inaugurated the first 60-classroom complex and laid the foundation for an additional 60 classrooms built by Access Bank and its Charity Shield partners at Maraban Jos, Kaduna, praised the late Herbert Wigwe for spearheading an initiative that has transformed the lives of orphaned and less privileged children.
He added that Wigwe’s dedication to humanitarian and educational causes, particularly for disadvantaged and out-of-school children is a lasting legacy.
“There is an important need for both private and public sectors to do a lot more in support of the Nigerian child, particularly orphans and vulnerable children, to enable them to look forward to a better tomorrow,” Governor Sani remarked while commissioning the school complex.
The Fifth Chukker team achieved a double victory, winning both the Charity Shield and the newly introduced Herbert Wigwe Cup, dedicated to the memory of the late promoter of the UNICEF Charity Shield Polo initiative.
Additionally, Kaduna Barbedos triumphed over Lagos MSD BabyBears in a closely contested final to win the Usman Dantata Cup.
The tournament featured over twenty-five teams, with players from Argentina, South Africa, and top Nigerian athletes competing in four exciting finals across low, medium, intermediate, and high-goal categories.
Access Bank Managing Director, Roosevelt Ogbonna, expressed gratitude to Kaduna State for its exceptional charity partnership with Access Bank, Fifth Chukker, and UNICEF. He emphasised that the Charity Shield platform has significantly impacted communities in Kaduna State by providing essential social amenities.
