The Queen’s Cup Pink Polo 2024 tournament, a charitable women’s polo event dedicated to supporting breast cancer initiatives, concluded beautifully at the Thai Polo and Equestrian Club in Pattaya on Saturday 17 February 2024. Organized by B.Grimm, led by Dr. Harald Link, Chairman of B.Grimm and President of the Thailand Equestrian Federation (TEF), along with Nunthinee Tanner, the first lady polo player in Thailand who initiates Pink Polo 15 years ago and Vice President of the TEF, the event saw a thrilling competition between the Thai Polo team from Thailand and the Jamjar team from Malaysia. The game was played extraordinarily by the incredible teams Thai Polo Pink: Caroline Link, Jessica Chua Nodland, Lucie Venot, Milagros Sánchez and Jamjar Polo: Lorraine Lisette Clewits, Adilla Jamaludin, Pearl Venot, Elena Venot. Thai Polo Pink emerged victorious after defeating Jamjar with a score of Thai Polo Pink 5 vs Jamjar 4 1/2 amidst enthusiastic cheers from the spectators.
Among the distinguished guests who participated in the event and contributed to the charitable cause were Dr. Kris Chatamra Director of the Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer Foundation(QSCBC), Khunying Finola Chatamra Honorary Advisor of QSCBC, Mr. Gustavo Alberto Martino, Ambassador of the Republic of Argentina to Thailand, H.E. Mr. Mohammed Abdul Hye Ambassador of Bangladesh to Thailand, H.E. Mr. Artur Dmochowski Ambassador of Poland to Thailand, Dr. Ernst Reichel ambassador of Germany to Thailand, Supanida Sukonthaphan, Kanyavie Jai Boon, Nanthawan Boonchupong, Anchalee Vonder Lu, Pommaree Dus, Natnann Natthanan, Luciano Tattoni Banker, Caroline Link, Aphisit Banakijsothon, Phakwan Chitmarie, Pirinanat Silpasorn, Pimpaer Intharat, Nittinat Nakorn, and Pichapak Panjai.
Nunthinee Tanner, the organizer of the tournament, stated, “Pink Polo is a charitable women’s polo event aimed at raising funds for breast cancer initiatives. Our goal is to support the Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer Foundation, which aims to effectively help patients and combat breast cancer through prevention, treatment, and care. As a woman, I invite all women to join forces to contribute to society by supporting and promoting charitable initiatives like Pink Polo, which features all-female polo players, and by promoting polo in Thailand to a new generation of women, enabling them to compete internationally. It’s another significant event for a creative and valuable society, which has always been well received.”
Dr. Krit Chatamra, founder and Director of the Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer Foundation, emphasized, “Breast cancer is a life-threatening disease and the leading cause of death among Thai women. Therefore, it is crucial to raise awareness among women about the importance of breast cancer screening and care to prevent this disease. The Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer Foundation was established in 2007 as a public charity organization, serving as the first comprehensive cancer care and treatment center for breast cancer patients in Thailand. It is the best-equipped center in terms of medical facilities, providing final stage patient accommodations for the underprivileged, patients undergoing treatment but lacking housing, activity centers for patients and volunteers, learning and training centers, as well as research and diagnostic centers for breast cancer, aiming to support all women in need and act as a refuge for women facing this deadly disease, providing physical and emotional support to cancer patients to uphold the Royal aspirations of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother.”
Before the spectators enjoyed the Queen’s Cup Pink Polo 2023 tournament, there was an exciting show jumping competition, the CSIJ-B PATTAYA 2024 event, and various activities from sponsors, including food and beverages. The highlight of the event was a glamorous fashion show on horseback featuring models led by Nunthinee Tanner, the first Thai female polo player and the Pink Polo founder.
Another unforgettable moment was the tradition of “Stomping Divots” by the spectators, where they stomped on the grass to cover the holes in the field and the horse’s hoof prints from the competition. Special surprises were presented by Bing Han, the concertmaster of the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, who showcased violin performances during the divot stomping, adding colors to the event. Participants, both young and old, enthusiastically joined in the divot stomping, followed by the presentation of Best Dress Awards and Best Hat Awards to distinguished guests. The Best Hat Award went to Kanyavie Jai Boon, CEO of Thai Metal Forging, while the Best Dress Award was awarded to Anchalee Vonder Lu.
The Queen’s Cup Pink Polo, a grand charity women’s polo event, has been held continuously for 15 years. Besides the joy and warmth of the atmosphere, participants also have the satisfaction of contributing to society through charitable efforts every year.