Entertainment

In a display of sportsmanship, Nigerian cyclist Ese Lovina Ukpeseraye received crucial support from the German cycling team during the Paris Olympics.

Ukpeseraye, representing Team Nigeria, found herself in a difficult situation when she had no bicycle to race with in the keirin and sprint events due to the short notice of her participation.

“Due to the short notice of me competing at the keirin & Sprint, #teamNigeria I had no bicycle to race with on the tracks,” Ukpeseraye said in a post via her X handle on Thursday.

However, the German team, Bund Deutscher Radfahrer, stepped in to assist the Nigerian athlete.

“In d spirit of sportsmanship the German team @bunddeutscherradfahr came to my rescue by offering me a bicycle. Thank you,” Ukpeseraye added.

This gesture of goodwill from the German team exemplifies the nature of the Olympic spirit, where athletes from different nations come together to support one another, regardless of their competitive rivalries.

In a continued drive to enhance its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Access Bank UK Limited held its annual Polo Day at Guards Polo Club, Windsor to raise funds for the education of the less privileged.

The Head, Media and public relations, Access Bank, Olakunle Aderinokun made this available to LEADING REPORTERS stated that
Access Bank UK Polo Day is annual charity event is a culmination of a year-long fund-raising programme in partnership with UNICEF for education projects in the Northern part of Nigeria.

Aderinokun explained that from inception to date, the UNICEF/Access Bank funds from the charity event have been used to rebuild schools in Kaduna and keep more than 12,000 students in continuous education. At the same time, new solar-powered school blocks and a computer literacy building all in a more secure and friendly school environment have been developed.

He noted that the communities surrounding the schools are being supported with boreholes for water and sewing and grinding machines to secure employment and stimulate economic and social development.

Aderinokun stressed that the Access Bank UK Polo Day with the support of the Access Bank Group, the flagship subsidiary of Access Holdings PLC, highlights the plight of vulnerable children and orphans as well as internationally displaced persons.

His words:

“In partnership with Fifth Chukker and based in Kaduna, Nigeria, Access Bank Polo Tournament generates funds and stimulates support for the work of the UNICEF/Access Bank initiative across Africa.

“Essentially, the primary objective is to empower underprivileged children through education and ensuring that these deserving children have the opportunity to dream, learn and grow”.

Meanwhile, Aderinokun noted last year’s event was filled with two exciting polo matches between Malcomines, Delaney, Fifth Chukka and Access Bank. On the field of play Malcomines Polo won the Khalifa Cup, beating Delaney Polo 7-4 across four chukkas.

However, Delaney Polos Damian Duncan, who had a standout game in the number one position, was rewarded with the Access Bank Most Valuable Player prize.

The second match of the day, for the Access Bank Charity Cup, saw a win for Access Bank. They beat Fifth Chukker 4-3 in a fast-paced game that featured some of the sports top players including Juan Martin Nero, Polito Pieres, Alfredo Bigatti and Guillermo Terrera.

Access Banks Sayyu Dantata received the Most Valuable Player prize from Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II Emir of Kano. He then stepped up to receive the Access Bank Best Playing Pony prize for Bayita, whom he had played in the fourth chukka.

After the prize giving, guests adjourned to the marquee for an enjoyable celebration accompanied by a performance by the Cavemen.

At the event, Herbert Wigwe, the then Group Managing Director of Access Holdings PLC and Chairman of The Access Bank UK Ltd (now late), said: Together our continuing support for the Fifth Chukker.