The first stage of the Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield International Polo Tournament reached its climax last weekend with outsiders RTC from Kano upstaging favourites Abuja Rubicon to win the prestigious Access Bank Cup.
RTC were trailing 7-10 with just one chukka to go, but launched a late rally, scoring four un-replied goals to clinch their first Access Bank Cup title in a sensational 11-10 victory.
Rubicon jumped into the lead from the blast of the whistle, with their Argentine player Fernando Bourdieu scoring three field goals in the opening chukka. RTC’s pivot Diego White replied immediately with three penalties to draw level in the second chukka.
Watched by a capacity crowd that included members of the National Assembly, traditional rulers and thousands of Polo enthusiasts, the supporters cheered on as Rubicon opened up a three goal cushion in the third and fourth chukkas. At that moment, they were coasting home for their first major title in the glamorous Access Bank Charity Shield.
Until Kano RTC turned the final on its head with a strike by Murtala Aliyu late into the chukka. Everything was going fine for the Rubicon, but White’s winner with just eight seconds left on the cloak sent the teeming Kano fans into wild jubilation.
Kaduna Access Bank Manager, Mukhtar Abdulmutallab, presented the glittering Access Bank Cup to the winners. He was assisted during the Presentation Ceremony by UNICEF External Relations Manager, Rabiu Musa from the Kaduna Filed Office.
The internationally acclaimed Polo tourney, which enters its final stage on Thursday, had earlier on Saturday produced its first champions, with Work-to-Ride team from USA defeating DeeBee Farms from Nigeria, to win the Coveted UNICEF Cup.
The Americans secured a narrow 5-4 victory over their Nigerian counterparts to clinch an all-time record fourth title in six years.
Murtala Aliyu of RTC and Daymar Rosser were named the Most Valuable Players in the Access Bank Cup and UNICEF Cup.
