America's Polo Cup

The America's Polo Cup was a polo event held annually in the United States of America from 2007 to 2010, but was declared bankrupt on September 13, 2010.[1] The event was organized by Tareq and Michaele Salahi, with varying degrees of support from sponsors. Because the match was unsanctioned by the Federation of International Polo, it was largely considered a spectator event. The event attracted controversy because financial issues surrounding the event, including allegations of, nonpayment of vendors, charity funding issues, and sponsors' names and marks being used without their consent.

History

2007

On May 12, the United Kingdom defeated America 7-3 at Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia.

2008

America defeated Italy 6-2 at Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia.

2009

On May 9 America defeated Australia 4-2 at the Capitol Polo Club in Poolesville, Maryland.

2010

The 2010 America's Polo Cup match took place on June 12 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., with teams announced as United States and India.[2] The advertised ticket price for the event was $95 per person.[2] The event had an attendance of about 250 people, with food from Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.[2] Reports of the event stated that the players who represented India were actually of Pakistani origin and were from Florida.[3][4] A spokesman for the Embassy of India stated that neither the Embassy nor the government of India had any association with the event.[2]

The event's website reportedly identified an Indian company, Kingfisher Beer, as a sponsor.[2] However, Kingfishers' chief executive denied that the company had sponsored the event.[2] Yashpal Singh, the president and chief executive of Mendocino Brewing Company, Kingfisher's parent company, reportedly stated, "We are not sponsoring this event and have informed the people managing this event of that, .... We have sent legal notices to this effect, and he keeps on advertising us as a sponsor. I don't know what world he's living in."[2]

On September 13, 2010, the business "America's Polo Cup Inc." filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.[1]

Controversy

Allegations of fraud over the past few years has caused a number of organizations to withdraw sponsorship. In 2009, Land Rover terminated its sponsorship after a charity created by the Salahis was put under investigation by the Virginia Office of Consumer Affairs. The organization, Journey for the Cure, solicited donations of cash or auction items as part of their mission to support science grants and other funding for cures of multiple sclerosis and cancer but was never incorporated as a 501(c).[5] In 2010, the Indian Embassy, Land Rover, Ritz Carlton, and the St. Regis Hotels terminated their sponsorship after the Sahali's White House gatecrashing incident.[6]

References
  1. "Virginia girl found eating herself in cage in mobile home; parents Brian and Shannon Gore charged". Daily News. New York. October 3, 2010.
  2. Tucker, Neely (June 13, 2010). "White House crashers Tareq and Michaele Salahi hold polo event on the Mall". Washington Post. Washington, D.C.: The Washington Post Company. p. C.5. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  3. "White House crashers Tareq and Michaele Salahi hold polo event on the Mall". Fashion. OverOll.com. June 13, 2010. Archived from the original on September 17, 2010. Retrieved August 30, 2010. Polo players representing India, who say they are actually of Pakistani origin and are from Florida, pose for a picture.
  4. "White House gatecrashers miss the 'old days'". New York Post. NYP Holdings, Inc. August 17, 2010. Archived from the original on September 3, 2010. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
  5. Ryan, Kiki; Dufor, Jeff (May 28, 2009). "Polo impresario under fire for 'allegedly charitable' charity". The Examiner. Washington, D.C.: washingtonexaminer.com. Retrieved September 2, 2010.
  6. "Indian Embassy cuts ties with gatecrashing couple". IBN Live: A Network 18 Venture. India: IBN Live.com. December 3, 2009. Retrieved September 2, 2010.
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