Merchant Hub CEO Thomas Kato just competed in his first professional polo match, the Maserati Miami Beach Polo World Cup for the Lufthansa Private Jet team in addition to being the team's patron. As such, Thomas made sure to hire the best to play alongside him including Top UK player Jamie Morrison, son of late Bryan Morrison - former music mogul & founder of the Royal Berkshire Polo Club and legendary Top US player, Luis Escobar.
GoldButtonMEDIA caught up with Thomas Kato aka Tommy for a live facebook interview:
GBM: WHAT is your opinion of the POLO game?
TK: It is an exhilarating sport that is great for diverse group of people of all ages and nationalities to get together and enjoy watching or playing.
GMB: Now that you have BOTH experiences of playing polo on a field & in an arena...what did you learn?
TK: Playing on the beach seemed to me, much more physical, on the field you need to really use strategies more on plays.
GBM: Sooooooooooo are you going to CHINA with BRUCE OROSZ and gang to play there?
TK: Very probable.
GBM: How do you like the title of 'PATRON'?
TK: Its a fun responsibility that made for a great weekend!
GBM: Do you plan to play polo anywhere else during the summer?
TK: I will be playing in London and maybe Italy this summer. In the fall I was planning a tournament in Argentina!
GBM: FANTASTIC ! How many times have you been to Argentina?
TK: Only twice. This past fall I had great time with some friends from Channel 13 and I got speak with the Governor Mauricio.
GBM: HOW DANGEROUS is playing POLO realllllly?
TK: With all joking aside... It is really a dangerous sport! You have to respect it, the horses and other players on the field. I always try to think of safety first before trying to make a goal... I played with Luis Escobar and my other team mate Jamie Morrison on were nice enough to fly over from London to play with me also. Jamie's father was also a great polo player, who unfortunately had a horrible accident on the polo field which led to his death. And even after that Jamie still plays. You need to be careful but not let fear control you...
GBM: Your company Merchant HUB has sponsored Miami Beach Polo the past 3 years in a row...that is a major accomplishment as well. Besides sponsorship, do you see anything down the road with how your company could be more involved...??
TK:would like to give back to the King of Sports by making it more accessible for everyone to attend. One of my concerns is that people see it as an Elitist sport to attend or play, and it is not at all. We just sponsored an event with Gauchopolo.com at the O2 Arena in London. We were even fortunate enough to have as our Team Captain Nacho Figueras. When we did this we invited hundreds of our merchants to attend who have never seen a polo match before as popular as it is in London. funny enough, the most frequent asked question was what should I wear. Maybe seemed intimidating to someone who has not gone before...But after they got there they really seemed to have a great time!
GBM:WONDERFUL....We wish YOU and Merchant Hub THE BEST of luck with your future POLO playing and we will be watching you make progress spreading the good word! THANK YOU for your time Tommy Kato !!!
TK: Thank YOU KASHA,See you next year at Miami Beach Polo!
CHECK OUT our videos to see MIAMI BEACH POLO 2011, Interviews with TOMMY KATO, LUIS ESCOBAR, NIC ROLDAN, and more...