Fifth Chukker Polo Club have beaten favourites and former winners, Tila Farms to win the prestigious Usman Dantata Cup, which brought to a thrilling end the first stage of the ongoing Access Bank/UNICEF Charity Shield International Polo Tournament. The Adamu Atta powered Chukkers, who were overlooked by bookmakers before the race galloped off, jumped into the lead from the starting bell, winning their two steam games in a round robin format that pitch four ambitious teams.
Watched by a capacity crowd, including representatives of the Lamido Adamawa, UNICEF officials, members of the National Assembly, captains of industry and thousands of polo enthusiasts, Fifth Chukker opened with two quick goals through Andrea Crespo, who pivoted them to an 8-41/2 victory.
Tila responded strongly in the second chukka through Tijani Ahmed, Altaf Suleiman and Rabiu Mohammed, but their efforts came too late as the quartet of Bashir Aliyu, Murtala Aliyu, Crespo and team skipper, Farouk Dangiwa held tight to run out first ever champions of the debuting Usman Dantata Cup.
“This is unbelievable. As late comers nobody gave us a chance, but by sheer determination and the overwhelming support of our fans, we made it to the final and produced a stunning performance that overhauled the favourites and secured us the glittering cup,” declared Fifth Chukker Captain, Farouk Dangiwa.
Dangiwa, who was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the first stage of the charity event, thanked Access Bank Plc for sponsoring UNICEF Charity Shield and dedicated their first Usman Dantata Cup title to orphans and less privileged children across the country.
The second stage of the international polo fiesta continues throughout the week with Lagos-based STL team leading the pack for the race for the glittering Access Bank Cup.
STL parading team patron, Seyi Tinubu, Abdulrahman Mohammed, Tom Lebrum and Leurue Hendriks lost marginally 6-61/2 to homers, Team Kangimi in their second game, but still managed to stay top of the race, thanks to their thumping 10-61/2 defeat of Jos Malcomines in the opening game.
Campaigns for the UNICEF Cup and the event’s biggest prize, Charity Shield picked up steam yesterday with three championship matches billed to support UNICEF’s charity events aimed at raising more awareness to the plight of vulnerable children across the country.
