HONG KONG POLO TEAM TO PLAY FOR THE OLD CLAGUE CUP AT THE TAUNTON VALE POLO CLUB, SOMERSET, UK
The Hong Kong Polo Team is now in England where it will face stiff competition for The Clague Cup, a trophy with origins in Hong Kong. The Clague Cup tournament will be played at the Taunton Vale Polo Club (TVPC), Somerset, UK on August 29th-30th, with the support of title sponsor, Stanley Gibbons. The participating teams will compete for a trophy steeped in history and charm. Founder and CEO of Asia World Polo, Dave Savage said, “We are delighted to have this wonderful opportunity to compete for the historic Clague Cup and to hopefully return the Cup to Hong Kong!”
The Honorable Sir Douglas Clague CBE, was a British Army Officer and entrepreneur who spent most of his life in Hong Kong. He arrived in Hong Kong in 1940 with the Royal Artillery, and with the outbreak of WWII, became a prisoner in the Sham Shui Po POW Cam from which he later escaped. At the end of the war, he famously took the surrender of Japanese forces in Bangkok more or less single-handedly! He was also a racehorse owner and former Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC). It was under his tenure that the Sha Tin racecourse was developed.
Colonel Justin Stanhope-White, Chairman of the TVPC, was commissioned in 1985 and has served in Hong Kong, Germany and the United Kingdom. The TVPC incorporated the Hong Kong Polo Association (HKPA) for many years before its recent return to Hong Kong. Stanhope-White has been playing polo for the Army at 1-goal for most of his military career and runs his ponies from Somerset. He sits on Committees within the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA), including Chairman of the Coaching Committee and the Pony Club, and spends any spare time coaching polo. Stanhope-White is also Deputy Chairman of Army Polo.
The current HKPA President, Paul Chow, also recalls that polo was reintroduced in Hong Kong by Colonel John Stevenson of the Royal Artillery regiment in 1961. There were no polo ponies, no grounds nor stables at that time. Polo ponies were imported from Borneo that year and land was found for practice in Fanling. The first official matches were played in 1962. The HKJC recruited Major Anthony Grimshaw to introduce a wider range of equestrian sports to Hong Kong in 1964, including polo, and he became the first President of the HKPA.
Title sponsor, Stanley Gibbons highlighted its commitment to the team’s next match on English soil. “We are very proud to be title sponsor of the Hong Kong Polo team as well as this tournament here in Taunton Vale; particularly since this is the first time a team from Hong Kong is participating in this tournament and playing against players who were based in Hong Kong prior to its handover to China. Being able to assist Asia World Polo with bringing polo back to Hong Kong is both an interesting journey, and something we hope to continue to be involved with longer term.” Marco Kaster, Investment Director at Stanley Gibbons.
HONG KONG POLO TEAM
Establishment of the Team
Dave Savage, Founder and CEO of Asia World Polo in 2013, spearheaded the launch of the Hong Kong Polo Team in 2014 and the team have been actively participating in polo tournaments and matches around the region, including Thailand, Singapore and Korea. Following its visit to the UK, the Team is tentatively scheduled to travel to Beijing and Bangkok, with the ultimate goal being to establish a Hong Kong Polo Club and base for polo enthusiasts here within the next four years!
“Our intention is to raise awareness of this incredible sport, build a new community fan base and to ultimately reintroduce the exciting sport of polo into Hong Kong through events whilst catalysing the development of a Hong Kong Polo Club.”
David Savage, Asia World Polo Ltd.
Profile & Recent Tournament Results
Hong Kong Polo Team defeated the Singapore Polo Club, 7-6 goals
Hong Kong Polo Team defeated BMW Korea, 4 ½ – 2 goals
Hong Kong Polo Team defeated Korea Royal Salute 5-3 goals
Hong Kong Polo Team Roster for the Clague Cup
Patrick Furlong (2-goals handicap) (Captain)
Kwan Lo (-1 goal handicap)
Russell Tyre (0-goal handicap)
Jonathan Gabler (1-goal handicap)
Reserve
Paul Chow
Captain Patrick Furlong: “We are all set for a thrilling next chapter on this East to West, West to East adventure playing our individual and team part in bringing polo back to Hong Kong!”
GAME DETAILS
Open to the public
Saturday 29th August from 1.30 pm – 4pm
Sunday 30th August from 1.30pm – 4pm