Hamburg (POLO+10 – 19/08/2016) – Four years ago the unique sport of polo was brought back to one of its origin countries, where the traditional polo version Shovgan was played over the centuries. Thanks to the pioneers and visionaries of a new polo era in their country, General Elcin Gulijev President of ARAF and Mr. Manuchehr Ahadpur Khangah, the modern sport of polo was raised from zero to a remarkable international level in Azerbaijan during the last four years. After hosting the first ever FIP Arena Polo European Championship in 2015, the ARAF-Elite Horse & Polo Club now presents the 4th CBC Sport Arena Polo World Cup from 9-11 September 2016.

Mr. Bahruz Nabijev of the Equestrian Federation of Azerbaijan Republic (ARAF) organises this international arena polo tournament together with World Polo of Reto Gaudenzi and his team. This year four club teams are competing for victory. Both, the European Champions from Azerbaijan and the Vice Champion from Germany, including Patrick Maleitzke, are taking part in the tournament again.

With CBC Sport a great title sponsor features the polo venue and provides a live coverage of the matches on the Azeri TV. Official Supplier is again the world-renowned polo fashion brand La Martina from Argentina. The team sponsors Badrutt’s Palace, Bogner, Gilan Holding and Italdizain Group are presenting strong teams with professional and amateur players from Azerbaijan, Switzerland, Argentina, Spain and Germany. The teams can resort to 100 excellent polo ponies from Argentina (80) and the local region Karabah (20).

This year the legendary hotel Badrutt’s Palace from St. Moritz/Switzerland will be in charge of the excellent VIP Catering together with a local caterer from Elite Horse & Polo Club. Reto Gaudenzi, who has been appointed by General Elcin Guliyev (President ARAF) as the official representative of ARAF for international polo relations, wants to bring together two unique polo locations: Baku and St. Moritz. The “Baku Moritz Night” will be the social highlight of the whole polo venue. Reto Gaudenzi: “We will stage this glamorous and traditional Baku Moritz Night on Saturday, 10th September. Some tickets are still available.”

In December, Azerbaijan will apply for the FIP Polo European Championship 2018. Therefore two full-size grass polo fields will be being build in Azerbaijan. Unforgettable polo days are coming ahead. And the vibrant city of Baku is getting ready to welcome the international guests and audience.

About polo in Azerbaijan:
Azerbaijan is known as the birthplace of polo and in 2013, the sport returned to Baku with the Grass Arena Polo World Cup Azerbaijan. In the past three years World Polo organised three successful polo events in the Azerbaijani capital, under the direction of Reto Gaudenzi and in cooperation with the Equestrian Federation of Azerbaijan Republic (ARAF) and the Elite Horse and Polo Club Bina. Following the huge success of the first two years, Baku was last year scene for the first ever FIP Arena Polo European Championship. 2018 the vibrant city applies for the European Championship in grass polo.

Programme:

Thursday, 8th September 2016
4.30 pm Press conference at Badamdar Hotel
5.00 pm Presentation of teams & sponsors
6.00 pm Welcome Party for players, VIPs, sponsors, officials and journalists

Friday, 9th September 2016
5.00 pm Gate Open
6.00 pm 1st Polo match: GILAN HOLDING – ITALDIZAIN GROUP
7.15 pm 2nd Polo match: BADRUTT’S PALACE – BOGNER

Saturday, 10th September 2016
5.00 pm Gate Open
6.00 pm 1st Polo match: BADRUTT’S PALACE – ITALDIZAIN GROUP
7.15 pm 2nd Polo match: BOGNER – GILAN HOLDING
8.00 pm “Baku Moritz Night” Polo Party sponsored by AZERSUN HOLDING presented by Badrutt’s Palace Hotel St. Moritz and Elite Event Hall Baku

Ticket Hotline:
(+994 12) 565 31 51, (+994 51) 664 52 51, (+994 55) 246 68 96, (+994 55) 920 99 51

Sunday, 11th September 2016
5.00 pm Gate Open
6.00 pm 1st Polo match – Garachay Holding Cup – Finals for 3rd/4th Place
7.15 pm 2nd Polo match – CBC Sport Arena Polo World Cup Azerbaijan – Final Arena Polo World Cup Azerbaijan 1st/2nd Place
8.20 pm Prize-giving ceremony – Fireworks

Teams:

TEAM BADRUTT’S PALACE HOTEL (Evviva Polo Club St Moritz, Switzerland)
Patrick Maleitzke (GER, +4)
Tito Gaudenzi (CH, +3)
René Kleinlugtenbelt (GER, +1)

TEAM GILAN HOLDING (Elite Horse & Polo Club Baku, Azerbaijan)
Elchin Jamalli (AZE, +3)
Tarlan Gurbanaliyev (AZE, +2)
Rashad Hasanov (AZE, +2)
Ali Rzayev (AZE, 0)

TEAM BOGNER (Santa María Polo Club Sotogrande, Spain)
Santiago Torreguitar (ESP, +3)
Richard Fagan (IRL, +1)
Mario Gomez (ESP, +4)
Daniel Gariador (ESP, +2)

TEAM ITALDIZAIN GROUP (Alegría Polo Club Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Fabio Meier (CH, +2)
Luca Meier (CH, +2)
Fabian Bolanterio (ARG, +4)
Werner Meier (CH, +1)

OFFICIALS
Speaker: Jan-Erik Franck
Timekeeper: Christian Dunkelberg
Ball Judge: Antonio D’Aurelio
Umpire: Mark Holmes
Polo DJ: Ray Douglas