The Polo Magazine Polo Team, led by renowned Nigerian female polo player Hadiza Shehu Malumfashi, made an outstanding debut at the 2024 Access Bank/Unicef Charity Shield Polo Tournament held between May 28th and June 8th, 2024 at the Fifth Chukker Resort, Kaduna, Nigeria. The team backed and sponsored by Taj Bank and co-sponsored by Farm To You, consisted of Hadiza Shehu, Abdulmalik Bariki, Hadi Mutalab, and Kwame Isah.
The Team’s and Sponsors Unveiling Video
The Access Bank/UNICEF Charity Shield is an esteemed annual polo tournament and major charity polo event renowned for supporting UNICEF programs.
TAJBank Limited is Nigeria’s second non-interest bank, operating under Islamic banking principles. It was established in Nigeria with its headquarters in Abuja and the tagline “Our only interest is you.”
The Team’s Line Up
Tournament Performance
In an unsurprising feat, Polo Magazine led with 4 goals in their first game against team AW Mohali, with a final score of 6 against 2 and a half at full time.
While the Polo Magazine team lost to Mangal Cement in its bid to reach the semi-finals, mere participation in this tournament is no small feat. It marks the beginning of an incredible journey for the woman-led polo team.
Speaking with the Team about the Tournament
Hadiza Shehu, the Team’s Patron: “Putting up the team for Fifth Chukker was an amazing experience, to say the least. I learned extensively about the behind-the-scenes of everything, from getting the horses ready to locking down great sponsors to personal training.
Alhamdulillah’ I am grateful to have had the opportunity to launch the polo magazine team at such a prestigious tournament; we won our first game by a large margin, but I, unfortunately, fell ill shortly before match two, which caused us to make impromptu arrangements for the game. God bless my teammates’ hearts; they all kept checking on me, truly shows how this sport unites and forms great bonds, grateful for all the family and friends who could come watch and support me. In the foreseeable future, Polo Magazine looks forward to sponsoring more cups, women’s games, tournaments as we’ve done in the past, etc. I am immensely grateful to TAJ Bank for the support they’ve given this team. It’s the beginning of something monumental!“
Hadi Mutalab, co-sponsor: “Our majestic, elegant Patron Hadiza supported the team’s efforts, not only with her mallet from the saddle but off the pitch. We all enjoyed her company, her cheer and her logistics support to make us competitive during the tournament. Though we didn’t win this time round, we are hopeful the team will come back next year stronger and more organized.“
Abdul Malik Bariki, team member on their first game:
About Polo Magazine
Created by Hadiza Shehu, Polo Magazine, established in 2022, is a digital polo info magazine, a social platform for empowering and advocating women’s polo. Polo Magazine is also a polo team and polo organization.
