The Barclays Japan Cup 2013 (31 August-1 September)

 

Celebrating its third year in Singapore with a traditional mounted archery performance and the first all-Japanese polo team

 

 

 

Singapore, 29 August 2013 – After a successful introduction to the Singapore polo and high society social calendars in 2011, the Barclays Japan Cup has gone from strength to strength and celebrates its third year with a traditional mounted archery performance and the appearance of the only all-Japanese polo team in the world.

 

For the first time ever, an all-Japanese polo team takes to the field, sponsored by Pocari Sweat. Team patron is Taro Otsuka, who has played in all previous tournaments and is supported this year by team captain Hiro Suzuki, and the father and daughter combination of Hiro and Akiko Kume. The Pocari Sweat team will face off against the Barclays team made up of Singapore Polo Club members.

 

On Saturday 31 August and Sunday 1 September, mounted archers will enthrall guests with a yabusame performance sponsored by American Express. Yabusame is traditional Japanese mounted archery dating back well over a thousand years. A yabusame archer will gallop down the sandtrack, controlling the horse with his knees, draw and shoot his bow twice at targets placed inside the field. Yabusame, in more modern times, is practiced more as a ritual than a sport and is performed in Japan at special events. The yabusame archers from Japan are students of the Ogasawara school and have studied it for most of their adult lives. This will be the first time yabusame will be demonstrated at the Singapore Polo Club.

 

Preliminary polo matches will take place on Saturday and the finals on Sunday. Six teams sponsored by Barclays, Pocari Sweat, Rakuten, Royal Salute and American Express respectively will vie for the coveted title. The throw-in for the finals will be performed by Guest of Honor, Deputy Chief of Missions, Mr Toshihide Ando of the Embassy of Japan together with Club President, Iqbal Jumabhoy.

 

Also supported by the Japanese Association in Singapore, this event will welcome dignitaries, celebrities and business leaders for a weekend of sport and glamour. In addition to high-level socialising and networking over Royal Salute whisky, Stella Artois beer and Japanese and Western canapés, and an exhilarating ‘live’ taiko drum performance, guests will have the opportunity to have their pictures taken with a polo pony.

 

The finals will be recorded for broadcast on ESPN/Fox Sports in Asia, Horse&Country TV in the UK and Benelux, and NowSports in Hong Kong. Other media covering the event are Prestige Singapore, LifestyleAsia.com and Livingpolo.com

 

 

Event details Sunday 1^st September:

 

2.00pm Arrival of guests

2.30pm Polo match: American Express white v American Express grey (1^st half)

3.00pm Polo match: Rakuten v Royal Salute (1^st half)

3.30pm Taiko drum performance

3.45pm Polo match: Pocari Sweat v Barclays (1^st half) Throw in by Guest of Honor:
Deputy Chief of Mission of the Japanese Embassy, Minister Counsellor Toshihide Ando

4.15pm Polo match: Rakuten v Royal Salute (2^nd half)

4.45pm Yabusame performance sponsored by American Express

5.15pm Polo match: Pocari Sweat v Barclays (2^nd half)

5.45pm Polo match: American Express white v American Express grey (2^nd half)

6.30pm Prize presentation

 

 

About the Singapore Polo Club

 

The Singapore Polo Club, established in 1886, strives to promote the sport of polo and equestrian activities in Singapore and beyond. Its history dates back to the colonial period and the Club has always had an illustrious membership. Several members of the British Royal family have at various times played polo at the Club, which is set in lush, tropical grounds on Mount Pleasant Road. Over the years, the Singapore Polo Club has hosted many prestigious polo tournaments, many of which are attended by royalty, dignitaries, socialites and prominent business men and women. The Club hopes to grow the sport of polo and encourage more local Singaporeans to play “The Sport of Kings.” This is significant as polo was recognised as a medal sport at the 2007 SEA Games, in Bangkok, Thailand, with Singapore winning a silver medal at this event.

 

About Barclays

 

Barclays is a major global financial services provider engaged in personal banking, credit cards, corporate and investment banking and wealth and investment management with an extensive international presence in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia. Barclays’ purpose is to help people achieve their ambitions – in the right way.

 

With over 300 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs approximately 140,000 people. Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for customers and clients worldwide.

 

For further information about Barclays, please visit our website www.barclays.com