Following on from the FIP Snow Polo World Cup Invitational held in February, the Federation of International Polo (FIP) sanctioned 24-goal handicap tournament, will showcase some of the sport’s top polo players in a two-stage competition, with Hong Kong facing the USA on 1st October and England meeting Argentina the following day. The winners will then go through to the final on 5th October for the chance to claim the $200,000 sponsorship on offer, with a third place play-off with additional sponsorship for the national association’s also taking place on 4th October.
All the action from the Fortune Heights Super Nations Cup will be televised live on TVB in Hong Kong, between 13:55 – 15:30HKT for games staged from 1-3 October, with the final shown on 5th October from 13:55 – 6:30HKT. All games will also be available to view at www.hurlinghampolo.com, www.tvb.com and www.us-polo.org with a delayed feed.
John Fisher, who has been based in China for the last two years and will be representing Hong Kong, said, “The popularity of Polo in the region is growing rapidly, and China has now staged a couple of major events, but this will be the first international tournament at this level. The Hong Kong team is obviously here to win, but equally we want to promote polo as much as possible, and show China and Hong Kong what it’s all about.”
For many of the other players it will be their first time competing in China with spectators promised an enthralling tournament. “China has a growing polo market and clubs are starting to spring up across the country, so we’re excited to be taking part in such a big tournament,” commented England captain, James Beim.
“Representing England is always one of the highlights of the season for me. The team playing in Tianjin played together as a foursome at a test match last week, which should help us during the tournament. I’ve played against all of the guys from Argentina before so know it will be a close game but I’m confident of our chances. All of us are looking forward to seeing a new country, experiencing a different culture and hopefully coming back with a victory!”
Argentina player & coach Santiago Araya added, “This type of tournament is important in developing and promoting polo around the world, so the Super Nations Cup is a great thing. Our opening game will be tough against England as they have good professional players, but we also have a very strong selection so I believe it will be an even match.”
The event will also include a Youth Cup for under-16-year-old teams from each of the competing nations, which the FIP hope will continue to inspire young people in China to take up the sport of polo, ahead of the next FIP Snow Polo World Cup Invitational in January 2013.
The Super Nations Cup is sponsored by Fortune Heights and hosted by the Federation of International Polo & the Tianjin Sports Bureau. The official Media Partner for the tournament is Equestrio China, and the team jerseys are provided by La Martina. The champagne sponsor for press conferences, after polo-parties & pre-gala dinner cocktail is Moet Hennessy Diageo (China) Co. Ltd.
To follow the tournament as it unfolds, please visit www.supernationscup.com.
2012 Super Nations Cup Sponsorship
- US$200,000 to the national polo association taking the 1st place
- US$100,000 to the national polo association taking the 2nd place
- US$80,000 to the national polo association taking the 3rd place
- US$50,000 to the national polo association taking the 4th place
Fortune Heights Super Nations Cup Teams
| Argentina | England | |||
| Santiago Cernadas | 6 | Ollie Cudmore | 4 | |
| Marcos Araya | 6 | James Beim | 7 | |
| Gaston Moore | 6 | Mark Tomlinson | 7 | |
| Raul Laplaccette | 6 | James Harper | 6 | |
| Total | 24 | Total | 24 | |
| Hong Kong | USA | |||
| Chris Mackenzie | 5 | Mason Wroe | 4 | |
| José Donoso | 7 | Kris Kampsen | 6 | |
| JP Clarkin | 8 | Mike Azzaro | 7 | |
| John Fisher | 4 | Jeff Hall | 7 | |
| Total | 24 | Total | 24 |
About Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club
Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club currently features two standard size polo fields, stabling for 205 horses, all-weather training facilities, a riding school and a luxurious Club House and 167-room resort-style hotel. The state-of-the-art equestrian facilities are used and maintained by professionals from all over the world.
Apart from being the host venue of the 2012 inaugural FIP Snow Polo World Cup, major international fixtures on the Club’s annual calendar include various spring and autumn tournaments and matches for different levels of play from youth to professional.
The Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club was opened in November 2010 as the sporting and social flagship of “Goldin Metropolitan”, a mega-development by Hong Kong-listed developer Goldin Properties Holdings Limited which will comprise three zones: a Central Business District, home to the 117-storey Goldin Finance Tower; the 898,000 square metre (222-acre) Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club and a low density luxury residential belt to be launched in the near future.
About Federation of International Polo (FIP)
The Federation of International Polo (FIP), founded in 1982, is the international body governing the sport of polo recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and includes 59 National Federations as full members. Polo has been played in the Olympics and is growing in popularity all over the world. Polo is a sport of horse and player. Men and women compete together in this contact sport as players are handicapped and games have a handicap range. While polo has primarily been played outdoors on a large green field, variations of the sport such as snow, beach and indoor polo are emerging and gaining popularity. FIP aims to develop rules for the safe conduct of the sport for both horse and player. Competition, sportsmanship and compliance with international rules of fair play are at the core of our sporting ethos.
About La Martina
La Martina was created 30 years ago by Lando Simonetti. Always keeping focus on the sport of Polo and its elegant tradition and prestige, the company is now one of the leading brands in clothing and polo equipment worldwide. The brand is in a constant process of technological research, pursuing leadership in innovation and safety for Polo Equipment, achieving evolution without disregarding design.
Today La Martina is sold in 56 countries throughout an exclusive retail network of 80 boutiques, multi-brand channel and present in 90 polo events around the globe every year.
Rod Kohler
Revolution Sports + Entertainment
E: rod@revolutionsports.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)207 592 1207