All eyes on Chairman’s Cup as Nairobi Polo season draws to a close

 

The final edition of the Nairobi Polo Season 2023/2024 will come to an end this weekend as top teams battle it out in the Chairman’s Cup.

The SBM Bank-sponsored tournament has attracted teams expected to compete in the two-day competition kicking off on February 25, 2024, at the Nairobi Polo Club.

The Chairman’s Cup follows closely on the heels of last weekend’s hotly contested Soldier’s Salute Cup which saw Tusker Malt emerge victorious after edging out Tanqueray 6-4 to clinch the eighth edition of the annual tournament. SBM Bank team fended off Capital FM to clinch third place with a 3-1 victory.

Speaking ahead of the Chairman’s Cup, SBM Bank Kenya Deputy CEO Jotham Mutoka expressed his excitement for the tournament and highlighted SBM Bank Kenya’s continued support for sports.

“It is gratifying to see the season culminate grandly after an exciting couple of months of top-notch polo action. This season has been nothing short of thrilling and the teams have showcased their mettle and stake in an incredibly competitive sport. As SBM Bank Kenya, we are proud to continue supporting polo and being part of what it represents for the entire sporting community,” he said

He further lauded the growth of the sport in Kenya, adding that the polo community had expanded tremendously with increased interest in the game.

“The polo sport has transitioned from an elite recreational activity to a widely celebrated spectator sport, reflective of a revered tradition in Kenya. We have seen veteran players showcase their skills alongside a new crop of young talent who have added fresh energy to the game,” he added.

“We expect a thrilling weekend of polo and call on fans to come out in large numbers to cheer on the teams,” said Mutoka.

SBM Bank Kenya launched a one-year sponsorship pact valued at Sh3 million with the Nairobi Polo Club, for the 2023/2024 season’s commencement, set to conclude this weekend, 24th and 25th. This initiative underscores the bank’s commitment to bolstering the polo sport’s prominence and development.

The Nairobi Polo Season kicked off in July last year with the Horseman Cup and has featured various other competitions across the eight months including Zambia Ladies International, Chukkers & Carols Tournament, the Davis Cup, Maria Bencivenga Cup as well as two international tournaments.

By Winnie Onyando