Land Rover Africa Cup makes an exciting return
18 August 2016
The Land Rover Africa Cup returns to the prestigious Inanda Club in Sandton in September.
This year’s event will be bigger, better and more exciting, with many crowd-pleasing events planned for the final Sunday of the tournament, it was announced at a media launch at the club on Wednesday August 17.
More than 3 000 spectators are expected to descend on the luxurious venue on September 18 to watch what has been billed as a spectacular game of polo featuring countries such as Uganda, Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and host nation South Africa. The event, which is sponsored by luxury car manufacturer Land Rover and hosted by the City of Johannesburg, will blend polo and the ultimate VIP experience with celebrities and entertainment.
Laura Vercueil of Joburg Tourism, the City of Johannesburg’s tourism promotion entity, says 2016 marks the sixth year since the City entered into a partnership with Land Rover. Vercueil said the City was excited to be welcoming spring with a big sports event like the Land Rover Cup.
“This is a great opportunity for people from all over Africa to experience what a beautiful city Johannesburg is and also a great chance for them to visit some of the iconic places in Johannesburg,” said Vercueil.
She said inasmuch as the event was focused on the game, it was also a great platform to mingle with people from outside of South Africa and give them some Jozi hospitality. Inanda Club Polo Manager Craig James said eight teams would compete in the final tournament weekend.
“The teams are entered as six-goal teams, meaning the combined handicaps of the four players representing their club will be six goals,” James said.
He said he expected this year’s tournament to be more competitive.
“We’re very excited to be introducing the development team, dubbed the ‘Above and Beyond’ team, sponsored by Land Rover,” he said.
The unique tournament, which has gone from strength to strength, also seeks to dispel the myth that it is an elite sport, according to James.Jaguar-Land Rover Managing Director Lisa Mallett said the company’s brand and polo complemented each other.
Mallett said the Africa Cup would be the perfect platform to unveil the new Range Rover Evoque convertible ahead of its local launch and in its natural habitat – in the midst of the luxurious Inanda setting. Zompie Tsotetsi, who will form part of the “Above and Beyond” Development Team, said growing up around horses in the Free State made it easy for him to be drawn to the sport.
“I’m very excited about the upcoming tournament and also the fact that there are more black people showing interest in the sport,” says Tsotetsi.
He added that he was grateful to Land Rover, the City of Johannesburg and Inanda Club for helping him find his true passion.