Elite duo for Apes Hill

This year’s Massy United Apes Hill Ladies International Polo Tournament will feature two of the top female players in the world.

This was revealed during a press conference to launch the event at Apes Hill Polo Club yesterday.

Club manager James Dickson said the experience of the two would add quality to the game.

“To have the highest-ranked female player, Nina Clarkin, alongside Hazel J. Goana, who are 10 and 9-goal, respectively, is a great addition to the tournament,” he said.

“Last year the level was 12. This year it’s a 16-goal tournament. One team has 17 purely because a player was raised a handicap in January in her home country and she was a part before that.”

He added that there were players who, along with Clarkin, were playing in the tournament for the very first time, such as Celene Lawrence, Annita Van Der Hoeven and Victoria Muir.

Local players Linda Williams and Monique Archer will also be competing in the tournament, which will feature two matches daily at the Apes Hill Polo Club Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The matches will be played at 3:15 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Goana, who competed in last year’s tournament, said it was a pleasure to visit the island.

Clarkin said she was excited to be playing since the tournament had been growing significantly.

“Hazel and I do a lot of travelling around to a lot of women’s tournaments around the world, and it’s really exciting to see the growth of women’s polo at the moment and the type of snowball effect, whereby there are more opportunities being presented and chances to play internationally,” she said.

Business manager Sharron Alleyne-Elcock said Massy United Insurance was pleased to be the title sponsor for the third year.

She added that over the next few days the competition is expected to showcase a high skill level, which is expected to be entertaining for both the competitors and spectators. (RG)