Access Holdings, a leading African finance institution committed to making a difference, has once again demonstrated its dedication to ensuring children have the chance to access quality education. Through its recent Polo Day, held at the esteemed Guards Polo Club in Windsor, United Kingdom, the group secured pledges for the construction of 100 classroom blocks in Nigeria.

The classrooms will go a long way in ensuring countless underprivileged children will have access to a safe and nurturing learning environment, ultimately inspiring them to dream, learn and become more.

In his remarks at the event, the Group Managing Director of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, highlighted the significant milestones made in line with the organisation’sobjectives.

“Today, we stand on the shoulders of the remarkable achievements from previous editions. Each one, a testament to our commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of children in need of education and optimism. Together, we have made good progress in ensuring children are given a fair chance at a brighter future through quality education.

“Our collective and continuing support of free and equitable education for children reflects a view of our role as change agents that can help institute socio-economic development through responsible business practice and social initiatives. As such, we will continue to seek out innovative ways to garner resources and invest in the future of our society. We are part of the community and we support its wellbeing,” Wigwe stated.

Since the polo fundraising initiative was launched in partnership with Fifth Chukker and UNICEF, Access Holdings, through its flagship subsidiary, Access Bank Plchas seen to the refurbishment of several schools in Kaduna and has put over 12,000 children through continuous education. At the same time, 60 classrooms and a computer literacy building have been commissioned. The communities surrounding the schools are supported with boreholes for water, while households have been empowered with equipment and training to secure employment, stimulating economic and social development.

The completion of the new set of classroom blocks will represent a significant step in the organisation’s goal of attaining a student-to-class ratio of 35-40 students per class in line with the national target.

Restating plans to empower even more communities, the Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna emphasised that, “The Group’s true victory does not lie solely in the goals scored during the tournament, but in the lasting impact we can create beyond these moments.”

“We are proud to be a driving force in the pursuit of access to education and look forward to creating a world where every child has the opportunity to thrive,” he concluded.

The event brought together distinguished guests and personalities from around the world. Among the notable attendees were the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwoolu; 14th Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, CON; 21st Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwase III; Chairman, Coronation Capital, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; Chairman, Access Bank Plc, Paul Usoro (SAN); former Chairman of Access Bank Plc, Ajoritsedere Awosika, and more.

Women’s hurdles world record holder, Tobi Amusan, set a new meet record of 12.34 seconds to win the 100m hurdles event at the Silesia Diamond League on Sunday. The Nigerian sports icon stormed to the finish line first, edging out former world record holder, Kendra Harrison in a keenly contested race.

Following the win, the trackstar confirmed that she had run her season’s best despite her continuous battle with injuries. “It was not easy for me with injuries in my hamstring and my knee. I had to trust my coach and my work. I was just running. Honestly, I had no idea that I won when I crossed the finish line,” she said.

“I would not say that I executed the start perfectly, but the second part of the race was really good. I am most definitely building up for the World Championships, extremely satisfied with my season’s best,” Amusan added.

When asked about the world championships, Amusan told pressmen she anticipated “a battle to the finish,” and plans to take each race as it comes.

The world record holder emerged victorious on Sunday, days after retaining her title as the national champion in Benin city for the fourth consecutive time. The Nigerian athlete’s next challenge is a shot at world title defense in Budapest, Hungary, in August.

Rainoil Limited in partnership with Stanbic IBTC Bank on Tuesday announced that no fewer than 100 top ranked players would participate at the 12th edition of the Rainoil Tennis Open 2022.

The Group Managing Director, Gabriel Ogbechie, in a press conference at the Tennis Section of the Ikoyi Club 1938, reiterated the brand’s commitment towards the development of Tennis.

He appealed to the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) to beam its searchlight on young talents that can be groomed into world beaters with international standard.

“I am delighted to announce that this year’s edition will be one to remember, our partnership with Stanbic IBTC Bank will make this year’s championships a delight, for both the fans and the spectators.

“We look forward to more partnership going into the future; we’re very passionate about Tennis, we have being supporting it for 12 years if not more.

“Tennis is a sport through which we can encourage our very young players, tennis will not only take our young boys and girls out of poverty, it will catapult them into prosperity.

“My expectations are numerous because of my passion for tennis, but my topmost wish is to have more young talent, the current number one ranked player in the world is barely 19 years-old, his career span will be longer,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the winner of the men’s category will go home with N1.5 million while the runner up will go home with N750,000.

In the women’s category, winner gets one million Naira, while the runner up gets N500,000.

In light of the disparity of the prize money, Ogbechie said that the inadequate number of professional tennis players is a factor to consider.

“Total prize money is about 13 million Naira, the prize money is the highest in the history of tennis in Nigeria; the men’s draw we got 48 players to play while women is 32.

“We would have loved to make a draw of 48 for women too, but it’s a struggle to women who are pros to play, we are seriously looking at leveling up the prize money,’’ Ogbechie said.

NAN reports that the tournament is scheduled to serve-off from Dec. 12 to Dec. 18 at the tennis section of the Ikoyi Club 1938.

Also speaking at the event was the Lady Captain of the tennis section Chizoba Onuoha, she applauded the Rainoil for being consistent, she also commended Stanbic IBTC.

“We at the Ikoyi Club 1938 are elated, every edition of this tournament is always better than the previous edition, I’m confident that this year’s edition won’t be different.

“Like our passionate sponsor said, we need more of this partnership in order to develop the sport,’’ she said.

Also speaking at the event was a representation of the tennis federation, Essien Sunday, he gave a rundown of how the players would be selected.

“For the men, 36 top players, four wildcards, 36 draws, while the women’s category 20 top players, four wildcards, the wildcards will be selected by stakeholders,’’ he said.

Omotola Egbedeyi, Manager Oil and Gas also of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Emmanuel Omuajine, the Executive Director of Rainoil, called on tennis lovers to come out in their numbers to watch.

“Its going to be full of live, come see professionals display their skills in a highly competitive championships,’’ he said (NAN)(www.nannews.com.ng)