Rabat- To commemorate 200 years of Moroccan-American relations, the US embassy in Rabat hosted two clubs affiliated with the American Polo Association (APA), The Hollywood Polo Club and Beverly Hills Polo club, as a symbol of the continuing cultural ties in Morocco.
The two clubs took part in the 1st Polo Ladies Cup, the first All-women’s Polo tournament to take place in North Africa. The three-day event, held from June 24-26th at the PGH La Palmeraie Polo Club, marked the first stop of the APA world tour, in partnership with Celebrity Ranch, a charitable organization dedicated to assisting children with special needs.
Members of the two clubs pictured with Deputy Cultural Attache, Stephen Weeks, in front of an exhibit.
Aside from playing chukkas, the group was treated to dinner at the US embassy in Rabat, as well as a personal tour of the US embassy’s exhibit “Of Voice and Stone- 200 Years of History in the American Legation Building and Morocco”, which is being housed at the National Library in Rabat.
Players of both clubs riding camels and sporting their polo gear
During their trip to Morocco, the polo clubs enjoyed shopping excursions in Rabat, exploring the Medina of Marrakech, watching a Moroccan folklore show, and even riding camels.
Polo has commonly been referred to as “The Sport of Kings”, but this unprecedented competition could pave the way for women to actively participate in this centuries-old sport in North Africa.
Rabii Benadada, the Chairman of the ladies tournament, says that this experience “has inspired the organization of the First Moroccan Women’s Polo Team.”
