Last week, the Association of Argentine Polo (AAP) sent a letter, signed by President Eduardo Novillo Astrada, to the Federation of International Polo (FIP). The message asked FIP President Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers to inform that there will be a certain reciprocity for the HPA, the Spanish Federation, the French Federation, and their respective players, concerning “rules, privileges, rights, fees, obligations and responsibilities.”
While the letter is fairly adamant in certain aspects, it does not describe the details of what will apply to each player of a certain nationality.
After investigating the subject, Pololine has come to the following conclusions:
HANDICAP: Spanish and French players who travel to Argentina to play official tournaments would face the same criteria as Argentines who travel to Spain or France. This means that they will play with a handicap of at least three goals, even if they are rated less elsewhere. It is not clear what will happen in the case of private tournaments.
-In light of this, the Spanish Federation is seriously considering lifting the restriction placed on Argentine players before the end of the year.
ENGLISH PLAYERS: Now must pay a fee of 100,000 ARS (approximately 4,000 Pounds or 5,000 Euros) to play tournaments during the Argentine Season. This does not include those who participate as patrons.
-In tournaments rated lower than the Cámara or the Municipalidad, only ONE English player is allowed per team. Should the English player be the highest handicapped on the team, then two will be allowed to play.
Due to the restrictions put in place by the AAP, many English players have chosen to forfeit the Argentine season, for economic reasons. Others, including many patrons, are waiting for more information and concrete details of the changes.
More information will soon be available on Pololine.