Polo
lovers in Nigeria and beyond are set to be treated to thrilling sporting actions
as the NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament returns for the 2017 season.
Sponsored by leading African Financial Institution, Guaranty Trust Bank plc,
the competition will bring together renowned indigenous and international polo
teams to compete for highly coveted trophies at the Lagos Polo Club Ikoyi.
Widely
revered as the Sport of Kings, Polo was introduced in 1904 by British Naval
Officers, the sport was first played on an air strip that was shared between
the Lagos Polo Club and the Ikoyi Club. The Lagos Polo Club, like the city in
which it is located, developed rapidly and became the premier polo club in the
country. Although the composition of its members has changed over time—from
British Naval Officers to Expatriates and Senior Civil Servants—the club has
retained its status as Nigeria’s leading polo club. Over the years, Lagos
International Polo Tournament has hosted reputable personalities such as His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, and Polo greats like Alphonso Pieres, Gonzalo
Pieres and Alan Kent.
This
year’s event will see both Nigerian and foreign teams compete in four main cups
namely Silver Cup, Open Cup, Lagos Low Cup and Majekodunmi Cup. Some of the players expected to light up the
tournament include Manuel Crespo, a seven-goaler from Argentina; South Africa’s
Tom De Bruin +7; and Alfredo Bigati, another +7 handicap player from Argentina.
Other professionals expected include Santiago Cernadas +6, Adamu Atta,
Babangida Hassan, Bello Buba, Santiago Astrada +6, Diego Whyte and Martin
Juaregi. Polo enthusiast will also be treated to a variety of off-the-pitch
activities ranging from thrilling performances by music stars, ladies day
celebrations to an out-of-this-world experience at the exclusive GTBank Lounge where
guests will be treated to epicurean cuisine and vintage wine.
According
to Ade Laoye, President of the Lagos Polo Club, “To ensure a successful outing,
we embarked on a massive infrastructure upgrade. We are confident that this
year’s tournament will provide top class action and entertainment for all polo
lovers”.
Commenting
on the GTBank sponsored Polo tournament, Mr. Segun Agbaje, Managing Director of
Guaranty Trust Bank plc stated that “Our sponsorship of the 2017 NPA Lagos
International Polo Tournament, which has grown over the years to become one of
the most anticipated social and sporting events in Lagos, demonstrates our
strong belief in the role of sports in developing and uniting our society. He
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, which are among the values
that have made GTBank a Proudly African and Truly International Financial
Institution.
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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