FIP Ambassadors in Malaysia

Federation of International (FIP) Polo Ambassadors arrived in Malaysia over the weekend for the start of the tour of the 67th FIP Ambassadors Cup.  This very friendly tournament was organised by the Royal Malaysian Polo Association to foster friendship between Malaysia and FIP.

Bruce Colley and his wife Teresa flew in from New York, via Manila.  In addition to being a FIP Polo Ambassador, Bruce is also an executive committee member.    Bruce plays off 2 goals.  He heads the Marketing and Youth Development committees of FIP.

Russell and Missy Corey played at Thai Polo & Equestrian Club over the weekend before flying to Malaysia.  Russell is a former 6 goal player from Meadowbrook Polo Club on the West Coast of America.

Teodoro and Wendy Calle flew all the way from Ecuador to be part of this tournament.  A very handy 2 goal player, Ted plays top level polo in Ecuador, Argentina and around the world.

Mathias Guerrand-Hermes is  a very well respected 2 goal player.  This Frenchman has played in Europe and America.   He is the son of the President of FIP, Patrick Guerrand-Hermes, who was scheduled to be in Malaysia for this tour but could not come because of a sudden illness.  Mathias came with Julie Noailles and their two month old daughter Anne-Lou.  They flew direct to Kuantan.

They were joined by FIP Ambassador Asad Jumabhoy from Singapore.

On Monday, the Colleys, Calles and Coreys were flown by Eurocopter, who provided two helicopters, from the Royal Selangor Polo Club in Kuala Lumpur to the Royal Pahang Polo Club in Pekan, Pahang.  On arrival at the club, they were met by His Royal Highness Tengku Abdullah, the crown prince of Pahang.   

After being shown the club, they played a friendly six chukka game on the main field.  The team of Russel Corey/ Tunku Johan Mansur, Jamili Rashid / Tengku Mahkota Pahang Ted Calle and Mathias Guerrand-Hermes won the match 10 -8, beating Mohd Zekri Ibrahim, Toh Muda Rizal Ramli, Bruce Colley and Asad Jumabhoy.

After the game, HRH Tengku Mahkota Pahang hosted a lovely dinner for the FIP Ambassadors and their wives at the Hyatt Regency Kuantan.  In addition to prizes for the game today, they were presented with a traditional woven tapestry as a special memento of the state of Pahang.  There was also an exchange of gifts between HRH and FIP to commemorate the occassion.

On Wednesday the Ambassadors will return to Kuala Lumpur, stopping at the elephant sanctuary along the way. 

In Kuala Lumpur, they will be joined by two Australians, FIP Ambassador Peter Prendiville of Western Australia and Ron Wanless of Queensland.

On Thursday, the 67th Ambassadors Cup tournament proper will start with a game at Putrajaya Equestrian Park in the Federal Administrative Capital of Putrajaya. 

A visit to Central Market and Petaling Street is planned for Friday.  Cocktails that evening is hosted by III Lounge at the Asian Heritahe Row,

Saturday will see the Ambassadors touring Bukit Kiara and playing the 2nd day of their tournament at the Royal Selangor Polo Club.  On Sunday morning they will visit Ranhill-Tanamera.  The tournament concludes at the Royal Selangor Polo Club in the afternoon.

The Ambassadors will be mixed in with local players to form teams for this tournament.

Spectators are most welcome at Putrajaya and the Royal Selangor Polo Club to watch the games.  Polo starts at 4:00 pm daily.