Argentina hosts polo's first-ever female World Cup

STORY: Argentina is hosting polo’s first-ever female World Cup

welcoming teams from the home country, the U.S., Brazil

England, Italy and Ireland

Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

The event is seen as a culmination of years of growing opportunity

in a game traditionally dominated by men

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENT OF ARGENTINE POLO ASSOCIATION, DELFIN URANGA, SAYING:

"Giving this opportunity for women to compete at the same level that men currently compete in, has a global impact and is also a message for the world."

Polo is believed to be one of the world’s oldest-known team sports

It was brought to Argentina by British immigrants in the late 1800s

Argentina is now among the top countries where polo is played

and is a major exporter of horses specially bred for the sport