Barclays presents The Japanese Cup 2012 at Singapore Polo Club
Team Barclays was victorious at the Barclays presents The Japanese Cup 2012, defeating Team Pocari by the score of 10 – 8 in the 4-chukka final in the A Division tournament. Both teams continued to the final after an exciting day of preliminary play on 27 October.
Maryam Reda (-2-goal handicap) performed extremely well in the final, scoring a total of three goals for Team Barclays. Waqas Khan (3-goal handicap), team captain, April McKenna (-2-goal handicap), Paul Murphy (0-goal handicap) and Fernando Arteaga (-2 goal handicap) completed the winning quartet and all played a strong supporting role for Team Barclays.
The tournament final was played at an intense hot weather at the Singapore Polo Club. In the B Division tournament, Team Royal Salute beat Team Volvo 8 – 6, while C Division, SPC Red beat SPC White 8 – 3.
Akiko Kume from Team Pocari, was awarded the Most Valuable Player and the Best Playing Pony was awarded to Overa, who is owned by Club Member, Maryam Reda.
This year, each team was represented by club members with Team Pocari formed by the Club’s resident Polo Manager, Sattar Khan with three Japanese players, namely Taro Otsuka, Akiko Kume and Masayuki Fushida. Singapore Polo Club General Manager, Alan Jones stated, “The Singapore Polo Club is thankful and appreciative of the continual support of Barclays Bank PLC, Pocari, the Embassy of Japan, Japanese Association in Singapore and our new team sponsors with Royal Salute and Volvo in Singapore. The Japanese Cup will continue to grow in stature and is recognised as a premier polo tournament in Singapore”.
The tournament final was attended by some 300 Japanese and guests, including foreign dignitaries, sponsors, socialites, members and invited guests who gathered for the excitement polo. The final commenced with performing the traditional throw-in ceremony by the Guest of Honour, Deputy Chief of Mission, Minister Counsellor, Mr Toshihide Ando of Embassy of Japan, Mr Soh Chye Guan, Managing Director of Barclays Bank PLC and Club President, Mr Iqbal Jumabhoy.
The spectators were entertained by the grand entrance of a Volvo C70, which lead the two teams to the centre of the field to start the tournament final. GINDAIKO presented the traditional Taiko drum performance. All guests were treated to a generous supply of Royal Salute whisky, Stella Artois and Hoegaarden Beer, Sake from Tenshin and Japanese food in the afternoon.
All participating teams received specially designed jerseys and great prizes prepared by the Casablanca Polo and Club. And a pair of delicate butterfly earrings by Japanese label, OVCE was awarded to Mrs Sonoda Chie for winning the Best Dressed.
In addition to Barclays Bank PLC, the Singapore Polo Club would also like to recognise Pocari (Team Sponsor), Volvo (Official Car), Royal Salute (Official Whisky), Stella Artois (Official Beverage), Casablanca, Gnossem, Livingpolo.com, Tenshin and Kuishinbo for their invaluable support of this tournament.