Barring any scheduling glitches, polo could give the Philippines its first gold in next year’s Southeast Asian Games which the country will be hosting for the fourth time.
The possibility cropped up as the first of three events calendared for the biennial meet—the 0 Goals Mix—will be held from Nov. 10 to 17 and will have its final on Nov. 29, a day before the biggest sporting extravaganza in the region officially opens.
“Hopefully we can produce the first gold and set things in motion for Team Philippines,” said United Polo Players Association (UPPA) chair and party-list Rep. Mikee Romero (1 Pacman) after a meeting with Philippine Olympic Committee officials, led by chair and Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and secretary general Pato Garcia.
The 0 Goals Mix will be played by two male and two female players.
The two other events are the 5-8 Goals slated on Nov. 20 to 26 with the finals set on Dec. 9 and the 2-4 Goals on Dec. 2 to 9 and the final match on Dec. 9.
UPPA, headed by Coco Garcia, is preparing at least six venues for the event—Miguel Romero Memorial Polo Field, Zobel Polo Field in Calatagan, Batangas, Alabang Country Club, BF Homes in Parañaque City, Manila Polo Club in Makati and Pulilan in Bulacan
Aside from the royalties of Brunei, also fielding formidable squads are Indonesia and Thailand.
Indonesian businessman and politician Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo has vowed to form a high-powered team.
Princess Azemah Ni’matul Bolkiah and Prince Abdul Mateen will banner the powerful Brunei team that will also have Princes Muda Bahar Bolkiah and Abdul Qawi Bolkiah.