Maybach Foundation helps to find polo talent in South Africa
The Maybach Foundation has been working with Sbu Duma for almost three years, supporting him in a shared effort to have this South African native make it in the polo world. No stranger to adversity, Sbu was born into a family of little means. As a stable boy he was destined to fill his father’s shoes as a groom.
But history would see it differently and Sbu’s undeniable talent eventually came to the Foundation’s attention through a chance meeting with a producer for the BBC. The pros checked him out and with a thumbs-up the Foundation sent him to Argentina several times where he trained with his high-goal mentor Federico Bachmann in the ways of Argentine stick and ball. The Foundation saw that he pursued an equestrian career parallel to his championship track and watched him go on to play matches throughout Europe.
It is now official. Sbu is part of the South African Team to compete at the Federation of International Polo, IX World Championship Zone D Playoffs held in Malaysia from June 11-27th, 2011. See the excerpt from the SA Polo March Newsletter below.
Zone “D” FIP Playoffs – Malaysia:
The team selected from available squad members to represent South Africa at the Zone “D” playoffs in Malaysia is as follows:
4 Goal Terence Spilsbury, Duncan Watson and Lance Watson
3 Goal Sbu Duma, Shaun Brokensha and Campbell Macnab
In selecting the team, the selectors felt the best combination for Malaysian conditions and ponies would be two fours and two three goal players with some flexibility in having a reserve in each handicap bracket.
The tournament commences on the 11th of June with the finals taking place on the 26th of June. Congratulations to those selected and we wish them well in Malaysia and look forward to their participation in the finals in Argentina during October.