Kenyans win the 2016 Land Rover Africa Cup

19 September 2016

 

Kenya’s Airbus Helicopters are the 2016 champions of Land Rover Africa Cup, Africa’s premier polo challenge that again drew a large number of participants and spectators from all corners of the continent to the spectacular and exclusive Inanda Club in Sandton.

 

Teams from South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Egypt and Uganda went head to head over the weekend for the bragging rights of a sport that was until now regarded as elitist. Also in the mix was South Africa’s Above and Beyond development team, sponsored by leading luxury car manufacturer Land Rover.

 

Inanda Club, considered the home of polo in Johannesburg, has for several years now been involved in efforts to make the game, regarded as a sport for kings, accessible to youth from previously marginalised communities in the city.

 

Nigeria’s Keffi Ranch was the first runner-up in the highly contested competition. South Africa’s Rockblend took the second runner-up position. 

 

The three-day annual event, which is supported by the City of Johannesburg, is Africa’s exclusive polo and lifestyle showpiece.

 

Polo fanatics were treated to a spectacular weekend of great action, fun, high fashion, fine food and beautiful cars at the Inanda Club. Among celebrities at the event were television presenter and fashion designer Maps Maponyane, Generations! The Legacy actress Thando Thabethe and financial news anchor for the Africa News Report on Sky News Jen Su.

 

Speaking on the opening day of the tournament on Friday September 16, Nabintu Petsana, Head of Joburg Tourism, the City’s tourism development and promotion entity, said this year’s theme, “Above and Beyond”, spoke to the lifestyle appreciated by polo fans and was also in line with Joburgers’ taste for the finer things in life.

 

“People in Johannesburg love quality, be it shopping, leisure, business and medical care. In fact, they love everything that is associated with quality, style and class,” said Petsana, who added that it was a pleasure to welcome guests from other African cities.

 

“Your presence here keeps us pumping as a world-class African city,” she said.

 

Guests also witnessed a “Horse versus Machine” race, with Inanda Club’s Polo Director Craig James racing against the new Range Rover Evogue convertible. Unfortunately for James and the horse, the machine was the victor.

 

Joburg Tourism Marketing Manager Lumka Dlomo said the City was proud to be part of such a beautiful event.  “To the teams that came from far, thank you for visiting Jozi and we’re looking forward to hosting you again in 2017,” said Dlomo.