FirstBank sponsors Kaduna polo ‘Georgian Cup’ for 100th year

First Bank of Nigeria Limited has announced its sponsorship of the Georgian Cup of the Kaduna polo tournament for the 100th year.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the bank said the decision to continue its support of the tournament is due to its commitment to the growth and development of sports, nation building and the economy at large.

The bank said it is “possibly the longest running sports sponsorship in the world and a Guinness Book of Records potential”.

It said the 2019 edition of the sports championship runs from October 12 to 20 at the Kaduna polo club, Murtala Mohammed Square.

“The Kaduna Georgian Cup centenary Polo Tournament commenced in 1919, with FirstBank sponsoring the sports tournament for a 100 years. The Cup, which was donated by the Bank to the Kaduna Polo Club, is the oldest and most respected Polo trophy in West Africa,” the bank said.

“The 2018 edition of the tournament was won by team El-Amin, also billed to participate in the 2019 edition to defend its trophy, contested by other teams; Rubicon, Imani, Malcomines, Lintex Agad. A total of 45 teams are billed for the 2019 tournament.”

Speaking on the sponsorship, Folake Ani-Mumuney, FirstBank’s group head of marketing and corporate communications, said it is a feat the brand is proud to achieve.

“2019 is indeed an eventful year for us and one of the many high points since we were founded 125 years ago. Part of our excitement stems from the pride we feel at having supported the Georgian Cup Polo Tournament for 100 years consistently,” she said.

“We are indeed proud to achieve this feat as it reinforces our leadership role as an institution committed to the continued growth and development of sports and the economy at large. The Georgian Cup Polo Tournament is one of the many heritage sporting sponsorships supported by FirstBank over the years.

“Another example is the FirstBank 58th Lagos Amateur Golf Open tournament, in partnership with Ikoyi Club 1938 holding in November this year which we have also supported for 57 years. We dare say perhaps another record in sports sponsorship.”