By Peace Udugba — The Daily Torch Media
FirstBank has reaffirmed its commitment to sports development by sponsoring the 2026 Georgian Cup Polo Tournament, scheduled to hold from October 16 to 24 at the Kaduna Polo Club.
The nine-day tournament is expected to attract leading polo teams, accomplished players and enthusiasts from across Nigeria and beyond, as competitors vie for one of the most prestigious trophies in African polo.
Recognised as a major fixture on Nigeria’s sporting calendar, the Georgian Cup combines high-level competition with a celebration of polo’s rich heritage, sportsmanship and social engagement.
FirstBank’s association with the tournament dates back to 1919, when the bank donated the trophy to the Kaduna Polo Club. The longstanding partnership has made the Georgian Cup one of the enduring symbols of the bank’s support for sports in Nigeria.
Over the decades, the competition has maintained its reputation as a prestigious event in West African polo, attracting players and spectators who share a passion for the sport.
The 2026 edition is expected to showcase top teams competing for the coveted trophy while providing opportunities for networking and engagement among participants, sponsors and spectators.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Shehu Aliyu, Executive Director, Public Sector Directorate, FirstBank Group, said the bank remained proud of its longstanding relationship with the Georgian Cup.
Aliyu described the tournament as an important part of Nigerian sporting history and reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to sustaining its legacy.
“The Georgian Cup occupies a unique place in the history of Nigerian sport, and we are proud to continue our longstanding support for a tournament that has remained a benchmark for excellence in polo for over a century,” he said.
He added that FirstBank’s association with the competition was its longest-standing partnership in legacy sports in Nigeria.
According to him, the bank looks forward to another exciting edition that celebrates skill, sportsmanship and the enduring appeal of polo.
The sponsorship is part of FirstBank’s First@Sport initiative, through which the financial institution supports sporting excellence and stakeholder engagement across various disciplines.
As preparations gather momentum, the 2026 Georgian Cup is expected to continue a tradition that has connected generations of polo players, fans and supporters.
The tournament also reinforces the role of sustained corporate sponsorship in preserving sporting traditions and promoting competitive sports in Nigeria.
