The Sport Of Kings: Africa Embraces Polo

The Land Rover Africa Cup, an exclusive knock-out polo championship, now in its 6^th year, offers an action-packed day for polo lovers, which will include a display of exceptional horsemanship. It returns this spring to the prestigious Inanda Club, situated in the heart of Sandton, South Africa.

The unique 2015 event had a host of teams from Ghana, Uganda, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and Kenya as well as several South African teams in participation. More so, over 3000 people witnessed the closely contested and fast paced final where the South African Land Rover team beat the Imlingo team, also from South Africa to win the coveted Land Rover Africa Cup trophy.

The 2016 tournament which is set to hold on the 16^th – 18^th September, will feature some of Africa’s top polo players and team up against their South African counterparts in an enthralling weekend of polo.

The Inanda Club General Manager, Paul Oosthuizen said, “hugely successful in previous years, the Land Rover Africa Cup continues to provide a platform for exciting and dynamic polo action. We are continuing to grow and expand this tournament into one of the biggest Polo Tournaments on the Continent’’

‘’The Annual Land Rover Africa Cup is a glamorous event, quintessentially polo and complements our vehicles perfectly. To that end it provides us with the ideal opportunity to showcase the New Range Rover Evoque Convertible ahead of its local launch and in its natural habitat – amongst the luxurious Inanda setting,’’ comments Lisa Mallett, Marketing Director, Jaguar Land Rover and sub-Sahara Africa.

Land Rover, the title sponsor, in collaboration with the City of Johannesburg, the host city partner, invite polo enthusiasts to savour a mix of sportsmanship with a blend of luxury design and VIP experiences.

The City of Johannesburg’s Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Development, Councillor Ruby Mathang says 2016 marks the sixth consecutive year that Joburg Tourism and the City have supported this event.

‘’As the City, each initiatives we put our weight behind needs to benefit all residents and the developmental aspect of this tournament addresses just that,’’ said MMC Mathang.

Mathang said over the years the Polo Development Programme has created several opportunities for talented but underprivileged players to participate in a sport that is considerably expensive and flourish as true professionals.

‘’Inanda Club has made considerable gains in driving this transformation to make polo more accessible to the broader public,’’ said Mathang.

The 2016 tournament is set to offer some of the best polo in the African equestrian calendar. The highlights of the day include fabulous fashions; entertainment and an extensive list of celebrities in attendance; a showcase by Airbus Helicopters, and the exciting Horse vs Machine Race. This year, the race will witness the New Rover Evoque Convertible up against the best thoroughbred of the tournament.

The theme of this year is ‘Quintessential Polo – Above & Beyond’, inspired by the Range Rover Evoque, it resonates the quality, class and a lifestyle appreciated by polo enthusiasts. Fashion aficionados will enjoy a carefully curated experience as they gather on the scenic Inanda clubhouse terraces to witness quintessential spring trends created by top African fashion designers.

Corporate hospitality packages include a variety of privately owned suites where spectators have the option of revealing in the action from the edge of the pitch or appreciating the towering view from the top floor of the Inanda Club Hose.

However, for bookings contact the Mason Company, the Campaign Management Agency. Also public tickets can be purchased from TicketPro from 01 June 2016. The event, Land Rover Africa Cup 2016 will hold on Sunday 18 September 2016 by 10:00 – 18:00 at the Indanda Club, Forest Road, Inanda, Sandton. For more information, visit the social media pages; www.facebook.com/inandaclub/, twitter: @LandRoverCup; (Hashtag: #PoloWithLandRover).

On ticket sales; Land Rover VIP Lounge, R1 950 – per person, The Polo Rom, R22 500 – tables of 10, Picnic Boxes, R4 500 – Boxes of 10, Public Tickets, R200 – Per Person, Corporate Hospitality Suites, Cost on Request. (All costs are exclusive of 14% VAT).