Draft

"Argentine Ambassador´s Cup" -Polo Exhibition-

Argentine Embassy to Ukraine

Reserved for Reserved for Argentine companies Argentine companies

History of Polo in the world Horse, rider, mallet, ball, open air. speed, intelligence, subtlety, technique, courage, ability, rhythm. The dominance of these ingredients led to the world- wide Argentine supremacy in the practice of Polo, this difficult and elegant sport whose origins date back to over 2000 years. Some believe the sport was first played during the T´ang dynasty in China, whilst others are of the opinion that the roots of this sport lies in Persia. However, it’s recognized that Chinese and Persians adopted the game from the Mongols. The essence of the game has not changed in 2000 years, the world "olo" itself derives etymologically from the Tibetan word “pulu” that means willow, since the wood from these trees is used in the manufacture of polo balls in Tibet. The Encyclopedia Britannica considers that “polo a stick-and-ball game played on horseback is the oldest of all equestrian sports”. History of Polo in Argentina Polo was introduced in Argentina by English immigration, on August 30th 1875, the day of Saint Rosa. The owner of the “Estancia Negrete”, David Shennan, gathered a group of friends, mainly Polo fans who were living in Argentina and staged the first Polo match to reach newspapers, three days later the British community daily “The Standard” published a report of the matches and stated that these marked the formal inauguration of Polo in Argentina. The match confronted City versus County. The practice of this sport spread to other “estancias” such as La Caledonia, Las Petacas, Los Ingleses, Santa Inés and Las Rosas, amongst others. Polo was also played in Buenos Aires in the neighborhoods of Flores, Caballito and Belgrano. This is how the clubs were born, and it was thanks to the Hurlingham Club that Polo was first played as an organized sport in 1888. From then on, Argentina witnessed the multiplication of local Polo institutions that gave rise in 1921 to the Argentine Polo Federation.

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Why Argentina? Argentina is the only country in the world that has teams with a 40 goal handicap, the highest achievable rating in the sport, reaffirming its mastery in the international Polo scene. The Argentina Open Polo Championship, the sport´s most important international competition, is held at the Palermo Polo fields (mecca of international Polo), where a select group of spectators from different parts of the world gather annually to fill the grandstands of field N° 1 to partake in this unique event. On more than one occasion the Palermo grounds were the setting for a match disputed between two 40 goal teams. We expect some of the Argentine players with high performance will display their skill and talent at the Argentine Ambassador Cup in Kyiv 2019. Polo exhibition proposal The Argentine Embassy in Ukraine intends to organize a high-end event called “Argentine Ambassador Polo Exhibition Cup”. Such events take place throughout the whole world.

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The Embassy is willing to count with the valuable collaboration of sponsors from business and banking sectors, automotive industry, clothing, jewelry and craftsmanship, haute horlogerie to wine and spirits, food and beverages.

Arising business opportunities The event creates a luxury world class platform to explore new business opportunities as well as VIP networking.

Discovering the Polo market and industry Polo is a billion dollar industry in the world with different and specific sectors, such as: -Garments and accessories -Leather goods -Amateur/professional training and coaching -Horse breeding and caretaking

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Similar events held worldwide

London The traditional "Argentine Ambassador’s Cup" has taken place for over 50 years during the prestigious Gold’s Cup quarter finals at Cowdray Park Polo Club (UK).

During the 1930s Viscount John Cowdray forged links with Argentine Polo and the Argentine Ambassadors Cup dates back to 1938. The Trophy is solid silver, made in 1912, and carries the engraving “ARGENTINE AMBASSADOR'S CUP 1938”. It emphasizes the strong relationship the Polo community has with Argentina and their passion for this sport.

Palm Beach, Florida

Ambassador Elena Leticia Mikusinski organized with the public and private sector the first nonprofit Polo event previous to the Open USA championship within the premises of its Polo Field in Palm Beach in 2001 with the top players. During that opportunity sponsors such as The Miami Herald, Vogue magazine, La Martina, banks and car manufacturers, among others, financed this unique initiative.

British tycoon Richard Branson and

his parents attended the event. The latest edition was the First Annual

Polo Tournament in 2018. The event raised First page, Miami Herald funds to benefit the Garrahan Hospital, an Ambassador Elena Leticia Mikusinski, Alejandro Díaz Alberdi, Eduardo Heguy Argentine pediatric hospital which has treated over 18 million children, free of charge, since 1987.

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Moscow

Russia celebrates the Argentine Cup Tournament at the Moscow Polo Club since 2007. The Director of the Moscow Polo club, Russia’s only Polo professional club, Mikhail Rodzyanko , said: “My first equestrian Polo teacher was Hernan Traverso Laclau, whom we invite as a coach for the summer season".

"Hernan is the undisputed professional in his field, who taught me a lot in this sport. It is a very interesting experience for me. I myself spent a lot of time in Argentina doing equestrian Polo, so we try to annually invite highly skilled players and coaches from Argentina, so that our Club members can adopt the spirit of this game and compete with the best of the best. We presented cocktails from the brand Beluga, wines, luxury cars, graceful decorations for horses, photos with the best Polo horses, etc."

Poland The Argentine Embassy in Warsaw, in collaboration with the Polish - Argentine Association (APA) and Buksza Polo Club, co- organized the Argentine Polo Cup; this event is attended by guests from the sport, diplomatic, business and cultural-artistic circles. The prestigious Copa Argentina takes place in a relaxed and familiar atmosphere tasting traditional grilled meat, accompani ed by a magnificent Malbec wine.

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Nigeria The Argentine Embassy in Abuja supports the Access Bank International Polo Tournament at the top African Polo Club "Fifth Chukker Club" (http://fifthchukker.com/) since 2004. During 2018 edition Ambassador Elena Leticia Mikusinski attended the event in Kaduna where extraordinary Argentine Polo players exhibited their incredible skills.

On the other hand, the renowned Polo player, Mr. Dawule Baba, already a Nigerian Ambassador Elena Leticia Mikusinski legend in the Polo field (played Polo with and Nigerian Polo legend, Prince Charles of Whales for years), promotes Baba Dawule. many Polo tournaments around the country.

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Contacts Mrs. Elena Leticia Mikusinski Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Argentine Republic to Ukraine

Mr. Martín Castro Head of the Political Section of Embassy of the Argentine Republic to Ukraine

Local team at the Embassy:

Mrs. Elena Shchennikova Commercial and Economic Section tel. (00380) 44 2386922 -int.*112/*124/*206

Ms. Lesia Miliutenko Political Section tel. (00380) 44 2386922 -int.*101

Embassy of the Argentine Republic to Ukraine e-mail: [email protected] Tel. (00380) 44 2386922

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