While the sport of polo is older than recorded history, The Inanda Polo Club believes that its origins are in the inspirational relationship between humans and horses.
This special bond and the unique blending of athletic talent between horse and rider have helped polo evolve into the sport of kings. The polo club and its academy are determined to provide opportunities for talented, underprivileged and hopeful polo players to become professionals in this arena.
Over the years, the polo club has seen transformative action on the field through tournaments such as Inanda’s own, Land Rover Africa Cup and the Development Cup which showcase a regal display of sportsmanship, embracing the participation of aspirant players.
“The Inanda Club, with its strong equestrian heritage, is firmly behind the development of polo and its growth throughout Africa,” said the club’s general manager, Paul Oosthuizen.
The Development Cup presents a platform for the winning team to take part in the curtain raiser of the revered Land Rover Africa Cup. In 2015, Land Rover, which has had a three-year title sponsorship presence at Inanda, presented the winning development player, Donono Lethula, with a R25 000 polo equipment prize.
Land Rover will sponsor the Above and Beyond Development Team at the upcoming Land Rover Africa Cup, which will include the two-star players crowned at the 2016 Development Cup, Thokozane Zondo, who hails from Gunsmoke Polo Club on the East Rand; and Lucky Matshaya, who helps run the young horse programme at Inanda.
The 2016 Land Rover Africa Cup tournament will take place over the weekend of 16 to 18 September, and features some of Africa’s top polo players and teams in an enthralling weekend of polo and glamorous fashion.
The day’s programme will include a Development Polo Curtain Raiser and various activities to raise funds for the club’s beneficiaries, the Alexandra Aids Orphans and the Highveld Horse Care Unit.
