The knowledge Travel – Kenya
Clockwise from above: association chairman Brian Perry in action; the Gross family (l-r: Aisha, Tiva, Tarquin and Anthony, former association chairman) at the Mugs Mug in 2009; the Moi family at Nairobi Polo Club’s centenary in 2007 (l-r: Kigen, Gideon, Zahra and Kimoi)
Kenya essentials X
Kenya in South Africa at the inter-schools championship, where they did exceptionally well.
PT: What has been your personal association with Kenya polo? BP: I first wielded a polo mallet almost 40 years ago in Ethiopia, but virtually immediately gave it up, as I was left handed, and couldn’t cope at that tender age with the prospect of a steep learning curve; I stuck to sports where I could use my left hand, and to flat race riding at the Imperial Ethiopian Jockey Club in Addis Ababa. When I arrived in Kenya in the mid 1980s, I competed regularly in three-day eventing and show jumping. After a bad fall on a cross country course in 1994, my daughters Anna and Lippa
2004 to 2007, and as vice chairman of the KPA for 10 years before taking over as chairman from Anthony Gross two years ago. I am the second oldest player in Kenya (the oldest is the ever impressive Mike Camm), and I had a hip replacement 10 years ago, but still get irritated when people ask me, “Are you STILL playing polo?”! I have been lucky enough to have been on the winning team of the Kenya Open 6-8 goal three times (the last in 2009), so don’t write me off yet!
PT: What future plans are in the pipeline? BP: This year we will have a touring ladies' team going to Zambia, where they will host a triangular tournament including a USA team. We have our
I first wielded a mallet 40 years ago in Ethiopia, but gave up as I was left-handed and couldn’t cope with the learning curve
persuaded me to take up polo again, which I did, joining the Nairobi Polo Club and persevering with my right arm, walking around the garden with a foot mallet at all times of day and night! It was worth it; the game and the people in it have brought new pleasures to my life. I served as chairman of the club from 1997 to 2001, and
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Kenya Open in September, in which players from various countries will be invited; this year it returns to Nairobi after several years in Gilgil. In October we host a team from Zimbabwe. Nairobi has initiated an ambitious ground improvement scheme, and there are plans for a new set of grounds at the North Kenya Club. F
• Kenya Polo Association, established 1921: currently 146 handicapped players; four affiliated clubs; chairman Brian Perry (Prof
BrianPerry@gmail.com)
• Nairobi Polo Club, located at Jamhuri Park, Nairobi: chairman Dominic Grammaticus (
dominic@governorscamp.com)
• Manyatta Polo Club, Gilgil; chairman Tristan Voorspuy (
offbeat@africaonline.co.ke)
• North Kenya Polo Club, Timau: chairman Gordon Murray (
Lolomarik@maraniafarm.com)
• Nduruma Polo Club, Arusha, Tanzania; chairman Jeroen Bruins (
jbruins@habari.co.tz)
• Season: End of May to mid-December
• Tournament structures: two consecutive three- day weekends; first weekend club teams, second weekend mix-ins; division into three or four handicap sections
• Season highlights: Mugs Mug, 3-goal national tournament in August; Kenya Open, at 6 and 12-goal in September; Duke of Connaught Cup, internal national championship (open); Cavalry Cup, internal national championship.
• At present nowhere is set up specially for visitors to play polo in Kenya, but if you're travelling to the country – or moving there – and want to find out what's going on, get in touch with Brian or one of the clubs.
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