The 2019 edition of the Lagos Int’l Polo Tournament is set to kick-off in Lagos, Nigeria, with Nigerian and foreign polo teams competing for honours.
The polo tournament, sponsored by leading African financial institution, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, at which renown polo players will be competing for highly coveted trophies, will begin on March 13, 2019.
Both the Nigerian and foreign teams will vie for who will take home five main cups available for grabs namely the Silver Cup, Open Cup, Oba of Lagos Cup, Low Cup and Majekodunmi Cup.
Over the years, GTBank had been at the forefront of supporting polo, widely revered as the Sport of Kings, and promoted the Lagos International Polo Tournament, which had hosted prominent and world-class players including His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales.
Often played on the grounds of the Lagos Polo Club, Ikoyi, the premier polo club in the country, the tournament had featured polo greats like Alphonso Pieres, Gonzalo Pieres and Alan Kent. Organisers have promised that in the same spirit, this year’s edition will provide top class actions and entertainment for all polo lovers.
GTB said that some of the players expected to light up this year’s tournament include Tomas Fernandez Llorente, a seven-goaler from Argentina; South Africa’s Tom De Bryune +6; and Diego White a +6 handicap player from Argentina. Other professionals expected include Chris Mckenzie +6, Pedro Soria, Leroux Hendrix, and Martin Waiganjo.
Polo enthusiasts will also be treated to a variety of activities ranging from thrilling performances by music stars to an exquisite experience at the exclusive GTBank Lounge where guests will be treated to epicurean cuisine and vintage wine, the award-winning financial institution said in a statement.
Commenting on GTBank’s sponsorship of the 2019 NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament, the Managing Director, Segun Agbaje, said the bank holds a strong affinity to the game because it reflects quality, competitiveness and fair play.
“We love the game of polo, the passion and the symbiosis between the players and their horses, but most importantly, we hold a strong affinity to the sport of kings because it reflects quality, competitiveness and fair play, (which are) some of the values that have made GTBank a proudly African and truly international financial institution.”
He further stated that the bank’s commitment to the sponsorship of tournament demonstrates its strong belief in the role of sports in developing and uniting societies. “Our sponsorship of the 2019 NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament, which has grown over the years to become one of the most anticipated social and sporting events of the year, demonstrates our strong belief in the role of sports in developing and uniting our society.”
Guaranty Trust Bank Plc prides itself as “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.
