Top teams for RSPC Masters Polo Tournament
Wednesday, June 6th, 2007
by Peter Ibrahim Abisheganaden. File pics by George Gill and Natasha Mustapha.
Five top teams are taking part in the RSPC Masters Polo Tournament, the first tournament of the Malaysian Triple Crown of polo. The tournament starts this weekend and runs till 17th June at the Royal Selangor Polo Club.
Hosts Royal Selangor Polo Club are represented by BRDB, led by Dato’ Mohamed Moiz. He has opted for an all local team this year, with Peter Ibrahim Abisheganaden playing in attack, Shaik Reismann at No 2, and +4 goaler Edham Shaharuddin in the pivot position. Dato’ Moiz (pic right) will play at back. His BRDB team were winners of the Royal Selangor Internatioal Tournament last year, and finished second to Royal Pahang in the RMPA International League. Despite a team handicap of +9, they will have to play off +12 goals as this a +12 to +14 goal tournament.
Ranhill Polo is in a similar position, also opting for an all local team with a +9 goal handicap. They too will have to play off a team handicap of +12. Team Captain Tan Sri Hamdan Mohamad, the chairman of Ranhill Berhad, leads the attack for Ranhill Polo who are representing Ranhill-Tanamera Polo Club. Ali Mazlan Harun plays in the second striker position. Younger brother Saladin Mazlan makes a welcome return to competitive polo after many years away on the rally racing circuit. Top local player Huzaini Yunos (+5) plays at back.
Cameron Highlands co-patrons Brian Miller and Hiroshi Kume have opted for their tried and tested duo of Craig Wilson and Selby Williamson. Their team is a +11 goal team but have the experience of playing with each other some years. Craig Wilson is fresh from the FIP World Cup Zone D tournament where he helped New Zealand qualify for the FIP World Cup Finals to be held later this year in Mexico. He is reunited with South African Selby Williamson. This team last played together in 2005, with Selby exciting the polo fraternity with his flashy stickwork, nd example of which can be sen in the picture on the right.
Royal Pahang are fielding a new look team for this tournament. With team patron DYTM Tengku Mahkota away, the job of captaining the team falls on Tengku Amir’s young shoulders. He is assisted by Tengku Shazril, Amran Selamat and Argentinean professional Jose Rivas. Their +13 Goal team is one of the tournament favourites.
On paper Harald Link’s and Nicholas Kosmatos’ Thailand Polo has the strongest side. Stylish +6 goal Argentinean Carlos Pando (pic right) is back with Thailand for another season. Thailand have declared their intentions this year by engaging an even stronger player, +7 goaler Hernan Tasso. They are backed by a string of new ponies and a highly professional back-up team that includes Argentinean and Thai grooms and trainers, vets and professional players. As the only +14 goal team in the tournament, they are the favourites to win the Masters, and polo’s Triple Crown this year.
RSPC Masters Polo is played in a league format with every team playing each other once.
Day / Date 1st Match 2nd Match
Sat 9 Jun Ranhill Polo vs Royal Pahang
Sun 10 Jun Thailand Polo vs Royal Pahang Cameron Highlands vs BRDB
Mon 11 Jun Rest Day
Tue 12 Jun Ranhill Polo vs BRDB –
Wed 13 Jun Cameron Highlands vs Thailand Polo
Thu 14 Jun Cameron Highlands vs Royal Pahang Thailand Polo vs BRDB
Fri 15 Jun Rest Day
Sat 16 jun Thailand Polo vs Ranhill Polo
–
Sun 17 Jun Royal Pahang vs BRDB Cameron Highlands vs Ranhill Polo
The other tournaments in the Malaysian Triple Crown of Polo are the Royal Selangor International Polo Tournament (14 – 22 July) at RSPC and the Royal Pahang Classic (18 – 26 August).
Entry to the Royal Selangor Polo Club is open to all for the RSPC Masters Polo Tournament and the Royal Selangor International Polo Tournament.
Source:
To read the full article on equestrian.com.my, please click here http://equestrian.com.my/news/2007/06/06/2769,44a,6a1491.html