Barbados will be among ten international segway polo teams contesting the 2013 Woz World Challenge Cup in Washington DC July 20 to 24.
World champions in 2009 and 2010, the Barbadians are expected in the United States on July 19 and are being supported in their efforts to compete at the world championship by Courtesy Garage, the local agents for Nissan and Hyundai vehicles.
Members of the team were on Friday presented with a monetary donation and Nissan training shirts from representatives of Courtesy.
The Barbados squad comprises Nevin Roach, Brett deGale, Ralf Luther, Brett Callaghan, James deGale and Dave Eastmond.
Barbados, who were runners-up in California in 2011, were not able to compete in Sweden last year, missing the Cup because of financial challenges, but will be seeking to regain the world championship this year.
The four-day Woz World Challenge Cup is being played at the Hotchkiss field at Gallaudet University in Washington D.C.
“We have some good players in our six-member team and we are seeking to get to the final, if not win the Cup. We will also be promoting Barbados on the tour,” said Callaghan, one of the founders of the Segway Polo Association of Barbados.
Segway Polo, a modified version of the sport normally played on horses, is played by teams of five players on battery-powered Segways, using mallets to put the ball through opposing goals.
The sport was formally established around 2004, with Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak playing a key role.
Barbados hosted the 2010 Woz Cup at the Lion Castle Polo Estate in St Thomas, and Wozniak attended.
The Barbados Flyin’ Fish won the Cup, defeating the Blade Pirates of Germany 3-1. Last year, the Woz Cup was hosted in Stockholm, Sweden and attracted 14 clubs from nine countries. (BB)
