After a successful
two-week of exciting polo, music, fashion, champagnes and cocktails, the 2016
NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament finally came to a grand close on Sunday
21st February 2016 at the Lagos Polo Club, Ikoyi, Lagos.
From thrilling
performances by players and music stars, to the dazzling GTBank Lounge where
guests were treated to epicurean cuisine and vintage wine, the 2016 NPA Lagos
International Polo Tournament lived up to its billing as the best tournament
ever.Elite, stylish and extravagant are few words that describe this year’s
event, as the social scene at the annual Lagos polo tournament was as much of a
show as the game on the pitch.
Following a 2-year
hiatus, the organizers set out to host an event second to none and unparallel
on every front. The game attracted everyone from big name politicians,
aristocrats, traditional leaders, sport lovers and the full panoply of professional
players from Argentina, Syria and South Africa.
An exciting first stage of the high-class
tournament came to a close on Valentine’s Day with Lagos Shoreline emerging the
biggest winner by clinching the Open Cup at the expense of Lagos Caverton while
Lagos dominance of the first stage was highlighted once again by Sao Polo’s win
of the Dansa Cup against STL in an all-Lagos final. Lagos Shoreline defeated
Lagos Caverton 9-8 to emerge champions of the Open Cup while Lagos Sao Polo
beat STL 5-4 1/2 to win the Dansa Cup. The Kola Karim-led Shoreline also added
the Oba of Lagos Cup, which they won by beating Lagos Ashbert.
The
second stage of the tournament kicked-off on February 16th with three matches in
the Low Cup. However, the highlight of this stage was the prestigious
Majekodunmi Cup, which is the most-lucrative trophy in Nigerian sports, as it
worth N25m for the winners. Fifth Chukker Polo emerged winners of the prestigious
Majekodunmicup having defeated Ironclad/Trojan in the final. In the Low Cup
final, Aerovote defeated Lagos Zippy while the last match of the day saw Kano
Titans beat Kano KeffiPonys in the Majekodunmi Subsidiary final to clinch the
Governor's Cup.
Commenting on the GTBank sponsored NPA 2016
Lagos Polo tournament, Mr Segun Agbaje, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust
Bank plc stated that “We are proud to partner one of Nigeria’s oldest and most
reputable Polo Clubs in delivering an event that is second to none on the
Country’s social and sporting calendar, and one that provides a platform for us
to connect with our customer segment that play and enjoy the “Sport of
Kings”. Segun Agbaje further stated
that, from its profound origins rooted in noble values to the naturally
evolving symbiosis between player and horse; Polo reflects pure passion,
quality, competitiveness and fair play.
Guaranty Trust Bank
plc is one of the few Nigerian financial institutions that have maintained a
defined Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, most especially in
sports education. The GTBank Masters Cup as well as the Principals Cup
tournaments in Lagos and Ogun states are some of the projects the bank has
taken up in this regard.
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