Polo set to return to Thailand next year
Newly elected Thailand Polo Association (TPA) president Kanoksakdi Bhinsaeng is hoping to invite international players back to the country next year after all tournaments this year were cancelled due to African Horse Sickness (AHS) and Covid-19.
Both the Ambassador Cup and the Thailand Championship were removed from the 2020 polo calendar after Covid-19 struck in January followed by AHS in March.
Kanoksakdi, who unanimously won the presidential election during the TPA General Assembly earlier this week, said local polo players should prepare for domestic and international competitions to resume next year.
“As no transportation of horses is allowed with the African Horse Sickness outbreak ongoing, we had to cancel two international events,” said Kanoksadi, who was voted president for the fourth time.
“Players, however, must continue their training as tournaments among local clubs are expected next year,” he added.
More than 500 horses in Thailand have died of midge-borne AHS this year, though the last reported case was in June. Thailand’s first outbreak of the disease was traced to imported zebras.
