Access Bank, Danmarna, Max Air, Golden Brickmore Shine at Charity Shield Fiesta

The 2026 Access Bank/UNICEF Charity Shield Polo Tournament wrapped up in Kaduna with a series of impressive performances that highlighted skill, sportsmanship, and charitable intent. Access Bank, Katsina Danmarna, Max Air, and Golden Brickmore each claimed victory in one of the tournament’s four principal categories.

After eight days of high‑profile matches featuring top international professionals and some of Nigeria’s best polo players, Access Bank dominated the final ceremonies. The team defeated Malcomines in back‑to‑back finals to secure both the prestigious Charity Shield and the Herbert Wigwe Memorial Cup.

Katsina Danmarna captured the Access Bank Cup, the tournament’s second‑most coveted prize. Max Air took home the Usman Dantata Cup, while Golden Brickmore won the UNICEF Cup in a hard‑fought contest.

The international polo event drew a distinguished roster of dignitaries, led by His Royal Highness, the Emir of Katsina. Other notable guests included Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago; Kaduna State Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe; Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; the Argentine Ambassador to Nigeria; and a range of polo enthusiasts, development partners, and philanthropists from across the country and abroad.

The tournament also welcomed Defence Minister General Christopher Musa as Special Guest of Honour. He described the event as “not only a celebration of sporting excellence but also a powerful demonstration of how corporate social responsibility can transform lives and create brighter futures for children and communities.”

Over the years, the Access Bank/UNICEF Charity Shield Polo Tournament has become one of the world’s leading charitable sporting platforms, leveraging the prestige of polo to fund long‑term investments in education, health, and wellbeing for vulnerable children, especially in Northern Nigeria.

The enduring partnership between Access Bank and UNICEF demonstrates how sport can act as a catalyst for social impact, expanding educational access, empowering communities, and improving the lives of thousands of children.

Through sustained fundraising, the initiative has delivered tangible benefits to underserved communities while fostering a culture of learning, growth, and opportunity throughout Kaduna State and its environs.

Speaking on the initiative’s significance, Access Bank Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Roosevelt Ogbonna, FCA, CFA, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities for disadvantaged children in line with Access Corporation’s broader sustainability and social impact agenda.

Kaduna State Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe praised Access Bank and its partners for their consistent support of UNICEF programmes and charitable initiatives, describing the partnership as a strategic intervention that contributes to poverty reduction, youth empowerment, and community development.

“The government and people of Kaduna State appreciate Access Bank and its partners for sustaining this important initiative, which addresses the needs of children and supports the development of rural communities across the state,” she said.

In addition to serving as title sponsor, Access Bank reinforced its commitment by donating an extra N10 million to UNICEF during the tournament to support ongoing child welfare and community empowerment projects.

More than a showcase of elite polo, the 2026 Access Bank/UNICEF Charity Shield Polo Tournament once again highlighted the transformative power of sport as a force for social good, community development, and sustainable impact.