Content Admin Content Admin | China - Hong Kong & South Africa to the Final of the FIP Snow Polo World Cup |
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The First Ever Snow Polo World Cup in Asia –
12 teams from around the world vie for the championship (Tianjin, China, February 11, 2012) - There are altogether twelve teams taking part in this year’s tournament and each team’s handicap ranges from 14-16, making this international high-goal tournament one of the largest in the world. Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, France, England, Hong Kong, China, India, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA were all competing to become the first winners of the inaugural Snow Polo World Cup. All are members of the Federation of International Polo (FIP).“Fortune Heights Snow Polo World Cup 2012” Two Finalists Announced: Hong Kong, China to take on South Africa. The semi-finals of the “Fortune Heights Snow Polo World Cup 2012” took place today on the 8th day of the tournament. The national anthems of the respective teams were played before each game. The anthems stirred a sense of national pride in the teams, urging them on to glory and victory. The first semi-final of the day was a frenzied affair with play and advantage moving back and forth between the two teams. Hong Kong, China started strong and led 1:0 at the end of chukka 1. England scored two goals in chukka 2, thanks to Christopher Hyde and Jamie Le Hardy. Hong Kong China scored again, but kept giving away free hits, which allowed England to edge ahead at the end of chukka 3. However, Hong Kong, China found their stride in chukka 4, and surged ahead. John Fisher and Martin Inchauspe both scored in the final chukka, while Guillermo Terrera scored two outstanding goals, one of which from the halfway line, bringing the final score to 7:4. In the final match of the day, South Africa played Argentina. Both sides started strong, not giving ground. It was only into chukka 2 that South Africa started to break ahead. Argentina kept fighting back though, bringing the score line close to a draw. As the game moved into chukka 3 South Africa’s Tom de Bruin continued his golden streak, scoring an additional 3 goals, stretching South Africa’s lead to 3 points. Argentina came close to equalizing in the final chukka of the game and continued to gain momentum, with Pablo Jauretche building on the points scored in the previous chukka however it wasn’t enough. South Africa held onto their lead, and won the match 7:5.
Semi-final runners up England and Argentina will play for third and fourth place “Fortune Heights Snow Polo World Cup 2012” - Final on Sunday February 12
The final will be between Hong Kong China and South Africa. Goldin Properties Holdings Limited (the “Company” or “Goldin Properties”) is a premier property developer principally engaged in the development of eminent properties in China and Hong Kong. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Goldin Properties is listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (stock code: 283.HK). The Company’s flagship mega-scale mixed-use property development, namely the Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan project, is strategically located at the heart of Northern China’s new Beijing-Tianjin integrated city. The project boasts a total gross floor area of approximately 1,890,000 sqm, comprising an international central business district, a supreme residential zone – “Fortune Heights” and a lush green international standard polo club – “Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club”. “Goldin Finance 117” of the Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan project will be the landmark in the city with about the height of 600 meters and 117 floors. 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 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. 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) Metropolitan Polo Club and a low density luxury residential belt to be launched in the near future.
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 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.
For more information or high-resolution images, please contact:
Susanna Poon
Tel: (86) 22 8372 8888 ext. 7450
Tel: (86) 22 8372 8888 ext. 7902
Federation of International Polo |
