NUSACC HOSTS FIRST ANNUAL POLO CUP

The National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC) hosted the first annual Polo Cup at the Great Meadows Polo Club in The Plains, Virginia, marking the first time that NUSACC has sponsored an important sporting event.  The competition was well attended, including significant participation by business leaders and senior representatives of Washingtons diplomatic community.

The Cedar Centaurs, led by Lebanese tech guru Nizar Zakka, challenged a team from Guarisco Gallery led by Egyptian-American businessman Marwan Mohey El-Dien.  In a very competitive match, the two teams battled to an 8-8 tie.

Polo has seen an increase in popularity in the Arab world, with over one-third of Arab nations -- including Egypt and Lebanon -- having established official polo associations. In 2010, Dubai hosted its first international polo tournament, attracting teams from around the globe. Efforts to promote polo in the region are funded by advocates of the sport within ruling families as well as private citizens.

NUSACC was represented by Curt Silvers, Executive Vice President, and Amin G. Salam, Director of Business Development and organizer of the event.  Salam noted, Sports serve as an important bridge among cultures, including those of the United States and the Arab world.  

NUSACC was honored to host the first annual Polo Cup, an event that brought hundreds of American business leaders together with Arab counterparts, including senior diplomats from a variety of Arab embassies.  By offering such a prestigious setting for high quality time, NUSACC is doing its part to build sustainable commercial bridges between the U.S. and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.  Silvers said, Hosting a sporting event was a new horizon for NUSACC, and also reflects the growth of sport in the Arab world.  It allowed our Members and friends to mingle and network in a fun, low-key environment and brought together people who wouldnt otherwise have a chance to know one another.  We hope to continue hosting such events in the future.

Special thanks is extended to key supporters of the event, including FedEx, Northrop Grumman, Motorola, CoStar Group, Ijma3 ICT Association, and the Embassies of Kuwait and Jordan.  Their support and participation helped to make this first-of-its-kind event a great success.