FIP's 2025 Annual Meeting
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Where Are the Women in the Federation of International Polo (FIP)?
And What About the Millennials and Gen Z?
Like every year, the Federation of International Polo (FIP) took advantage of the bustling atmosphere created by the 2025 Palermo Open in Buenos Aires to hold its General Assembly. The event saw strong attendance, with many members traveling to Argentina, alongside others who joined the meeting online via Zoom.
During the session, the organization outlined its strategies for the coming years, including the planning of various tournaments worldwide. Collaboration was also reinforced between the FIP and its principal sponsor, U.S. Polo Assn., a partnership that has successfully spanned over a decade. The event culminated with the election and ratification of FIP authorities.
A Glaring Absence: Female Representation
While the experience brought by the current executive and new members is undeniable, the absence of female representation is striking. This oversight is particularly concerning given that women's polo has been instrumental in saving the sport from the decline experienced over the last decade and a half, perhaps even longer. Simply put, the women arrived to pull the sport out of its slump.
It is thanks to the dynamic organization and growth of women's polo that the sport has expanded, attracting new sponsors, new teams, and new tournaments, and has increased the number of professional players. This has been a vital pillar for the current relevance and broader appeal of polo. The contribution of women to modern polo is of transcendental importance, yet their quota of representation within the Federation of International Polo remains minimal. Today, we not only have female players with the perfect handicap, but some have also won some of the world's most prestigious tournaments.
The Next Generation Challenge
Another critical detail that remains unaddressed is the inclusion of new generations. This is the age-old battle: young blood versus a more traditional version of the sport. Currently, there are no Millennials or Gen Z members represented in the FIP's leadership.
It is worth noting the age profile of the sport's elite. In the recent final of the Palermo Open, contested between La Natividad La Dolfina and Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufú, the average age of the participating players was 30.13 years. This average is elevated by the exceptional participation of Adolfo Cambiaso, who, at 50, continues to play at the highest level.
All the players in that grand final belong to the third generation of polo players in the modern era. They view the sport through a new lens, having grown up digital and immersed in social media—the very tools that have recently been crucial in preventing polo from fading into definitive obscurity for new audiences. These generations of players are a hybrid of elite athletes and influencers, media stars who manage their own brands. They understand the business and the sport with a much wider vision than the traditional polo players of previous generations.
Polo has changed, and it is continuing to change. The choice is clear: adapt to the change or be left behind.
The Open Question
The central questions remain: Why is there no female representation in the FIP? And where are the new generations in the governing body that regulates polo?
Share your opinion and comment; every contribution adds to the future good of the sport.
