Along with sponsors and organisers, the Joburg Tourism team is turning up the heat (not forgetting the glamour) to welcome the fifth Land Rover Africa Cup polo tournament to the City, taking place at Inanda Club in Sandton this weekend.
This exclusive tournament attracts 10 invited African teams, to display their prowess over a thrilling three days. The 2014 tournament is scheduled to take place from 18-20 July 2014 with the Open Day on Sunday 20 July 2014 at the Inanda Polo Grounds.
The weekend long affair attracts an intercontinental VVIP audience, as well as local spectators and supporters. Beyond the polo content, part of the richness of this event is the diversity of the attendees and the players. The event is a Continental Tournament hosted against a backdrop of corporate hospitality, sport and entertainment.
On a more serious note, an event like the Land Rover Africa Cup Polo tournament has an important role to play in development and transformation; spectators can look forward to seeing the skills of the country’s development teams in action, as part of the weekend programme. Inanda’s rising star, Zompie Totetsi, who is making headlines in the polo world, will be playing for the Highveld development team.
TOURISM AND THE LANDROVER AFRICA CUP
Guided by economic development objectives of the GDS Joburg 2040 – the mission of the City is to continue positioning Johannesburg as one of the world’s leading cities. An all year round leading business and events destination, and a vibrant, cosmopolitan centre for lifestyle, leisure, heritage, the arts, culture, entertainment. This is aimed at ensuring shared and sustainable economic growth and development in the City, stimulating a vibrant second economy as well as the transformation of the tourism sector within the city.
“For every initiative that we undertake we ensure that it also always benefits the ordinary citizens of Joburg. This is why the development aspect of the polo as it pertains to this club and the Africa Cup is important for us as a hosting City,” explains Clr Ruby Mathang, MMC Economic Development.
“Over the years, the development polo programme has provided opportunities for talented underprivileged and aspirant players to participate in the sport and flourish as true professionals. The Africa Cup showcases not only the great sport of polo, but very importantly, the development programme players that serve as catalysts in changing perceptions about the sport. The strong focus on developing players over the past five years has changed the face of polo from that of an elitist sport to that of a sport for the people. We applaud the Inanda Club for driving this transformation to make the sport more broadly accessible,” says Mathang.
