This archive report was first published on 20 September 2019.
The Kenya International Polo tournament kicked off on September 21, 2019, with Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa featuring in the tourney.
The tournament, sponsored by White Cap Lager, has four teams: Samurai, Toyota, White Cap, and White Cap Lite.
According to Kenya Polo Association Vice Chairman Raphael Nzomo, the annual 14-goal tournament has been in existence since the 1950s and is gaining momentum in the country with more Kenyan players actively involved.
"We now have pride in the game as Kenyans since it was previously dominated by colonialists and the game is favourable to all genders so that no one feels discriminated," said Nzomo.
Samurai team, consisting of Tom de Bruin, Hansi Bruins, Raphael Nzomo, and Jules Camm, beat their Toyota opponents, consisting of South African International Guy Watson, Jammie Murray, Craig Miller, and Joss Craig, 9-6 to move to the top at the Jamuhuri Park Showgrounds.
South African international captain Tom de Bruin praised the local lads, saying, "It was my first time in the country and the match against Toyota was an eye opener to how good players are all over Africa, now that we have gotten rid of our nerves we can now play even better tomorrow," said De Bruin.
De Bruin scored seven goals for Samurai, with three of them in the second chukker, while Nzomo and Hansi added one goal each in the 4th and 5th chukkers.
