FirstBank of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining its longstanding sponsorship of the prestigious FirstBank Georgian Cup Polo Tournament.
Bashir Ali, Group Head, Public Sector, FirstBank Nigeria Ltd., Abuja, gave the assurance in an interview at the conclusion of the 106th edition of the tournament in Kaduna on Sunday.
Ali described the sponsorship as a source of pride for the bank, noting that the partnership had endured because the tournament continued to deliver value.
“If there is no value, we would not be here for over 100 years. So, definitely, there is value,” he said.
He said the tournament had continued to improve over the years, particularly in the quality of the playing field and the standard of play.
“The field has continued to improve. The quality of play has also continued to improve. You can see what we are seeing today. It’s a great game, and we are proud to be associated with it,” he said.
Ali disclosed that the Kaduna Polo Club had submitted the Georgian Cup for consideration by Guinness World Records as the longest-running sponsorship.
Four teams—El-Amin, Musaco, Pop Cola and Malcomais—competed in the tournament finals at Murtala Mohammed Square, Kaduna, on Sunday.
In the opening match, Musaco defeated Pop Cola by six and a half goals to six in a closely contested encounter.
The Georgian Cup final between El-Amin and Malcomais ended in a 10-10 draw, with El-Amin awarded the trophy based on the outcome of their previous encounters.
El-Amin Polo Club won the prestigious FirstBank Georgian Cup for the 17th time, extending its record as one of the most successful teams in the competition’s history.
The Kaduna International Polo Tournament remains a major fixture on the state’s sporting calendar, attracting teams, players and enthusiasts to celebrate the sport and compete for honours.
