First Polo event "FIP Snow Polo World Cup" to be held 2-12 February 2012 at Tianjin Golding Metropolitan Polo Club 

Congratulation to founding of the Hong Kong Polo Development and Promotion Federation (HKPDPF).

A ceremony was held today in Hong Kong to herald the founding of the Hong Kong Polo Development and Promotion Federation (HKPDPF).  In attendance were Mr. Harvey Lee, Vice Chairman of the HKPDPF along with Mr. Asad Jumabhoy, Executive Committee, Federation of International Polo (FIP), Mr. Roderick Vere Nicoll, FIP Ambassador and Marketing Committee, and Mr. Tony Yue, MH JP, Vice-President of HK Sports Federation and Olympic Committee.

The HKPDPF is the only member association in China recognized by FIP currently.  The HKPDPF aims to facilitate, promote and regulate the playing of polo in Hong Kong and its near region, and is supported by Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club (“Metropolitan Polo Club”), who will provide polo facilities, and assist to organize, and to promote the playing of polo in Hong Kong and its near region.  The HKPDPF will assist FIP to host polo activities regularly, and to promote the understanding of the sports to a wider public.

Mr. Harvey Lee, Vice Chairman of the HKPDPF commented, “We are delighted to announce the establishment of the Hong Kong Polo Development and Promotion Federation.  Equestrian activities in this city have a long history and loyal following, and today, we are thrilled to declare that Hong Kong has become part of the world’s polo family, promoting the enjoyment of polo to a wide audience in Hong Kong. We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the Federation of International Polo for recognizing the HKPDPF as a legitimate governing body for polo and to Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club in China for supporting our mission to promote polo.”

Mr. Asad Jumabhoy, Executive Committee, FIP, expressed his pride in seeing the increase in support towards polo in Hong Kong and China. He said, “It’s a great joy to see the establishment of HKPDPF. I hope to see many more polo-related activities to be organized in the near future for Hong Kong. I look forward to the day when polo is brought to the public on a much more regular and popular basis.”

Mr. Tony Yue, MH JP, Vice-President of Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, added, "It’s a great joy to see the establishment of the Hong Kong Polo Development and Promotion Federation, which will surely help raise the awareness of horse-related sports in the region and propel Hong Kong's sports scene and recognition to a new level".

The FIP Snow Polo World Cup 2012, the first snow polo event organized by FIP, which will take place at Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club from 2 February to 12 February, 2012, will be the first major polo event to be co-organized by the HKPDPF. Twelve teams, representing FIP member associations from eleven nations and one Special Administrative Region team have been invited to take part; they include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, England, France, Hong Kong SAR, India, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA.

During the FIP Snow Polo World Cup 2012, families and children can enjoy a wealth of exquisite dining experiences with a range of spectacular musical entertainment in a winter playground setting. At the venue there will also be a winter shopping village and plenty of after-polo parties, guaranteeing an unforgettable experience for spectators from around the world. 

Following the successful hosting of the Asia’s first snow polo challenge in 2011, the upcoming FIP Snow Polo World Cup 2012 showcases more teams and is on a larger scale. 

About Hong Kong Polo Development and Promotion Federation

The Hong Kong Polo Development and Promotion Federation (“HKPDPF”) is the only member association in China recognized by FIP as of now.  The main objective of HKPDPF is to strengthen the promotion and development of polo in Hong Kong through provision of facilities for, to organize, promote and regulate the playing of polo in Hong Kong, to regulate the playing of polo that it organizes, and to encourage and promote the playing of polo in Hong Kong and abroad.  At the same time, HKPDPF is also dedicated to provide support and assistance with any other horse-related associations, and to promote better care of horses and horse-related activities.

About the Federation of International Polo (FIP)

The Federation of International Polo (FIP), founded in 1982, is the international body governing the sport of polo recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and includes 59 National Federations as full members. Polo has been played in the Olympics and is growing 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 Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club

Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club (“Metropolitan Polo Club”) currently features two standard size polo fields, stabling for 157 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 supervised 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.

Metropolitan Polo Club was opened in November 2010 as the sporting and social flagship of the “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) Metropolitan Polo Club and a low density luxury residential belt to be launched in the near future.

Issued by Prestique

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