Malaysian Polo Team optimistic to play Argentina-based FIP World Cup: Polo News
The Malaysian polo team is looking a spot in the Federation of International Polo (FIP) World Cup scheduled to be contested from October 11 to 25, 2011 in San Luis, city of Argentina.
It is vital to mention here that Malaysia is going to host the Zone-D World Cup play-offs where seven teams will be featured to decide the fate of two direct spots in the mega event. The event will be organised from June 11 to 26, 2011 in different clubs
of Malaysia including Putrajaya Equestrian Park, Royal Selangor Polo Club and Royal Pahang Polo Club.
Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, the President of the Royal Malaysian Polo Association (RMPA), while talking to the media said that the Malaysian team would surely get a place into the FIP World Cup Finals despite tough group teams in the Qualifiers. He
anticipated that they would win one of the two direct tickets in the mega event.
Malaysia is one of the top polo-playing nations in the Asian continent. However, they failed to get a place in the world cup. The RMPA President expressed his hopes saying that they would surely achieve it in the upcoming event and rewrite the history of
Asian polo. He stated, “But we hope to perform well and qualify for the World Cup Finals for the first time. Based on past credentials, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand are the favourites.”
Sultan Ahmad Shah was also of the opinion that the Malayan side would have to deliver shining performance in the FIP World Cup Qualifiers, if they wanted to get the hosting rights of the 2014 FIP World Cup. He continued that they would evaluate the potential
of the home side and as well encourage them in the mega event.
Meanwhile, Shaik Reismann, the skipper of the National Team of Malaysia was also quite optimistic about the qualifiers. Speaking to the media persons, he said that they had all the significant things needed for the victory including commitment, discipline
and the consistency. Tengku Ahmad Shazril, Huzaini Yunos, Amran Selamat, Muhammad Edham Shaharuddin and Saladin Mazlan will be among the other players.
The national team is getting training under the supervision of Carlos Pandor from Argentina, who was one of the legendary players of his era.
Some seven counties will take part in the Zone-D of FIP Word Cup Qualifiers including New Zealand, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Australia and the defending champions South Africa.
Malaysia, the host team will face India and New Zealand in the first phase of the qualifiers. The home team will contest Malaysian Open Championship and Terengganu in order to prepare themselves ahead of the crucial qualifiers.
Tags: