FIP Awrds Zone D Playoffs To New Zealand
for the FIP World Polo Championship VIII - 2007

BEVERLY HILLS – The Federation of International Polo (FIP) President, Glen Holden, announced that FIP has awarded the presentation of the FIP World Polo Championship VIII, Zone D (Oceania/Asia/Africa) Playoffs to New Zealand.  The finals of these events will take place in 2007. The venue has not yet been awarded for the FIP World Cup Finals '07.

FIP President, Glen Holden said, “New Zealand has a long and proud history of equestrian sports and has been an active member of FIP for several years. I have no doubt that this tournament will be successful for both the players and the spectators. I look forward to traveling to New Zealand for these exciting Playoff games.”

For the FIP World Championship VIII, the federation's most ambitious and important international event; FIP expects the number of participating countries to be at least 25 competing in the zone playoff system. The FIP World Championship VII held in Chantilly, France in 2004 featured eight national teams that qualified through a demanding and highly competitive zone playoff system, which included 24 country teams participating worldwide.

New Zealand plans to present its Zone Playoff D in Auckland, using polo grounds around Clevedon, probably in March 2007. There are 22 polo clubs in New Zealand, mostly based in rural areas but with two strong city clubs in Auckland and Christchurch.  There is a strong family tradition in New Zealand polo with a number of fourth and fifth generation players participating in the sport.

FIP, currently with headquarters in Beverly Hills, CA, was founded in 1983 and in 1998 the International Olympic Committee granted outright recognition to FIP as a Recognized Federation. Currently FIP represents the national polo associations of more than 80 countries. In addition to organizing international tournaments, FIP also develops international tournaments for children, conducts umpiring and coaching seminars and encourages participation in the sport of polo at all levels and ages.