Among the significant changes for polo in Argentina, that include all different lineups for the 2025 Triple Crown, the Argentine Association of Polo (AAP) is about to elect a new President and a new Board of Directors, on Wednesday May 28. On this occasion, there are two lists, that aim to go for the coveted position as the President of the Governing Body of Polo in Argentina.
One is led by Marcos Di Paola, a former high goal player and the manager of many important teams and organisations around the world, such as King Power. His list includes significant names for the positions, that include Nicanor Moreno Crotto, Martín de Narváez Fecchino, Ignacio Heguy. Gonzalo Delger, Gustavo Papini, Justo Saavedra, Juan M. Echeverz and Andrés Laumann.
On the other side, there’s Benjamín Araya, winner of the Argentine Open with the remarkable Coronel Suarez, a man who comes from a family with strong bonds with polo. He decided to go for the position with a list which is not already complete, but he has time until the end of the week to add the remaining names. Along Benjamin are Juan Lastra, Federico G. Virasoro, Javier A. Pasman, Santiago J. Olivera, John Peter Duncan Dub, Ernesto T. Lalor and Lucía Giraudo.
Marcos Di Paola and Benjamin Araya spoke to PoloLine about the upcoming challenge, and their ideas.
Why did you decide to run for President of the AAP
Di Paola: Actually, it was not a decision, but an idea that was coming up slowly. I’ve been President of the Players Association and I currently have a place in the Board of Directors of the AAP, as a representative of the players. So, it was something that was coming up, with the encouragement of many. The idea is trying to contribute as much as possible.
Araya: Because I want to give polo as much as polo gave to me. Because many friends whom I respect asked me to be involved. Because I think there are a lot of changes to be made, and I have people ready to come along to make it.
Why now?
Di Paola: Because if you wait for the best moment to make things, those things never happen. So, I didn’t think that much and I decided to come along.
Araya: Today is the moment; tomorrow, I don’t know.
What do you think both you and your team can be able to contribute to polo in Argentina?
Di Paola: Well, we took our time to make a proper team in order to split the different areas we’d need to word; as a matter of fact, we do believe in team work, and we aim to be an organisation that does not depend on the President. We want each member of the team to contribute with their own different ideas. That’s why we think on focusing on institutional and commercial matters related to polo. The AAP is very big, and include many areas that deserve special attention.
Araya: Honesty and transparency.
How do you see Argentine Polo and the Triple Crown?
Di Paola: Polo in Argentina is growing constantly every year and demands a huge adaptation. In my opinion, that’s the biggest challenge. I think there many amends to do in areas, specifically those that need more than others. With regards to the Triple Crown, in my view it’s going through a good moment, but we should give more space to those who play the Triple Crown. We have the best players, the world always look at them, so we have to acknowledge them and take good care of them.
Araya: Argentine polo is going through a remarkable moment, there are a lot of kids who are playing really well. Ladies polo is having a significant growth, too. In addition, in the provinces, polo is aiming to improve. And The Tripkle Crown has very competitive teams.
Which areas do you consider should be improved?
Di Paola: There are a lot of things to improve, such as bringing polo to an international level, because polo in Argentina is the best in the world. In addition, support all the clubs that need help, in order they can host more tournament and have more players. The military and their clubs should be added in the different provinces in Argentina, to have better facilities and support them in whatever they need to keep playing polo. The military were a crucial part on the development of civil polo years ago, and now it’s time to pay them back. Another thing to improve is safety in the sport, something very important indeed. Ambulances, medical protocols, but also rules to make polo a safe sport.
Araya: Transparency in management.
What do you think about people who say that polo is not a sport?
Di Paola: I think polo is expanding its audience thanks to the streaming, but also with the hospitality Palermo offers today for all kind of people. We need to keep breaking down barriers.
Araya: I don’t see many difference at all. I guess we need to take advantage of today’s communication to expand the sport.
What would be your first decision as President?
Di Paola: Bring my team and start working.
Araya: It all depends where we are standing.
Some months ago, it was said that Argentina should stop copying new rules applied in the world and start creating them here. What do you think on the matter?
Di Paola: I disagree with that. We must adopt those rules that are good and discard all those that don’t add anything to improve the sport. Sometimes, we are pioneers and sometimes we have to follow. We have to be humble enough to search what’s good for the sport.
Araya: Perhaps I was not clear enough. There are rules that aren’t good for polo in Argentina, so I would discard those. But in the event there’s something that adds, we will take it into consideration. The simpler the rules, the easiest to apply.
Last but not least, Marcos Di Paola and Benjamin Araya answered a ping pong:
Would you create special membership board, who are able to contribute with their opinions about the job and behaivour of the umpires?
Di Paola: Yes.
Araya: Yes.
Would you add the Argentine Polo Pony Breeders Association to the AAP?
Di Paola: Yes. As a matter of fact, the Association is added in my team, through their Vicepresident, Martín de Narvaez.
Araya: Yes.
Handicap with insurance?
Di Paola: Yes.
Araya: Yes.
Would you change the AAP staff?
Di Paola: I should be President before answering that question.
Araya: No answer yet. When we know what each of them do, we will look every case. There are very valuable people.
Would you either do or create new things in the AAP Headquarters, in Pilar, still having some projects in existence?
Di Paola: Yes.
Araya: No answer yet. There are changes to be made, but we don’t know about projects in existence.
Would you consult the AAP affiliated, through their clubs, with regards to rules?
Di Paola: For some, yes; for others, no
Araya: Yes.
Would you send the assembly minutes to the clubs?
Di Paola: Yes.
Araya: Yes..
Doping, yes or no?
Di Paola: Yes.
Araya: Yes.
Genetics editing, yes or no?
Di Paola: No.
Araya: No.
Audit, yes or no?
Di Paola: Yes.
Araya: Yes.