Legacy, obstacles, personal enrollers and the roadway in advance–

Polo, commonly described as the “Sport of Kings,” is deeply ingrained in India’s social and historic textile. From its beginnings in Manipur to its altitude as a sporting activity of stature by the British and handsome states, the video game has actually taken a trip with centuries.

Yet, its survival today owes much to the unfaltering dedication of the Indian Army, which has actually played an essential function in preserving and advertising polo as a nationwide prize.

In
our earlier attribute, we checked out the fundamentals of polo and its development possibility in India.

Now, we dive much deeper right into the sporting activity’s one-of-a-kind connections with the military, the historical payments of the 61st Cavalry, the initiatives of the Indian Polo Association (IPA), and the possibility for personal sponsorship to safeguard polo’s future in India.

The Indian Army’s responsibility in maintaining polo

The Indian Army has actually been the bedrock of polo in India, guaranteeing its survival with turbulent times.

Following India’s self-reliance, the decrease of handsome states and their financial backing for polo left a vacuum cleaner. The Army, acknowledging the social and critical value of equestrian abilities, actioned in to maintain the sporting activity.

One of the Army’s substantial payments has actually been the stipulation of framework. Veteran polo gamer Syed Shamsheer Ali, highlighted the Army’s payments, informing , “The Indian Army is the one who’s helped polo over the years. They have the grounds and facilities. It’s because of them that polo is alive in India.”

“We are playing polo on the army ground, army facilities because they support us. Without their support, polo would exist only in a few pockets,” included Ali, that was additionally granted the ‘most valuable player’ prize at theCol Girdhari Memorial Polo Cup held from November 26, 2024 to December 1, 2024 in the nationwide resources.

Across India, army facilities keep a few of the nation’s finest polo premises, enabling events and session to grow. The Army additionally supplies training centers for its policemans, much of whom end up being proficient gamers and stand for India in nationwide and global events.

Polo’s combination right into the Army’s principles is not simply leisure. Equestrian tasks, consisting of polo, boost physical conditioning, decision-making, and esprit de corps amongst employees.

“Polo by the military is not just a sporting activity, it’s additionally army diplomacy. I t’s an Indian sporting activity. It’s our sporting activity, our present to the globe. We need to check out it like that,” Colonel Navjit Singh Sandhu, former commander of the 61st Cavalry and ex-captain of the national polo team, tells .

Joint polo tournaments with international military teams help foster goodwill and strengthen bilateral relations, stated Sandhu. These tournaments often draw large audiences, exposing new generations to the sport.

Moreover, the Army’s commitment to polo goes beyond just maintaining traditions. By organising and participating in major tournaments, such as the Indian Open and President’s Cup, it ensures the sport remains competitive.

These events often serve as showcases for talent and bring together civilian and military players, creating a unique camaraderie that sustains the polo fraternity.

The 61st Cavalry: Custodians of polo’s heritage

The 61st Cavalry is a gem in India’s army heritage, personifying the magnificence of the cavalry age. Formed in 1953 by combining the Mysore Lancers, Jodhpur Lancers, Gwalior Lancers, component of Patiala Lancers, and the Saurashtra Cavalry, this routine continues the practices of horse-mounted war while welcoming its function as a guardian of polo. It is among the globe’s last staying energetic horse-mounted cavalry devices.

Historically, these lancers were associated with substantial fights, such as.
the World War I project in Haifa, where Indian cavalry devices accomplished amazing success.

Putting a limelight on the Army device and its organization with the sporting activity of polo, Lt Col Atul Gupta (Retd), having actually offered in the 61st Cavalry, offers some understanding: “So how it went was that initially the British army was based around irregular cavalry forces of the state forces like the royal families. So initially the ‘sawar’ [a trained soldier on horseback] had to bring his own weapon and own horse to be part of the irregular cavalry of the royal state forces.”

“So from there it started as a means of training during peacetime and then it picked up as a sport and then individual royal houses started playing it as part of their army irregular cavalry and then after independence when there were no more state forces, the 61st cavalry was created,” Gupta, that is additionally the exec board participant of Delhi area at the IPA, informs .

After the mechanisation of the Army reduced the operational role of horses, the 61st Cavalry became a ceremonial unit. However, its role in polo kept its traditions alive, making it a global symbol of India’s equestrian culture.

Today, the regiment plays a dual role: it upholds India’s cavalry traditions and fosters young polo talent. Officers of the 61st Cavalry are trained rigorously in equestrian disciplines, ensuring they excel on the polo field.

The regiment also breeds and trains horses for polo, contributing to the sport’s infrastructure in a country where equine management is a significant challenge.

The 61st Cavalry’s involvement in polo goes beyond playing. It organises tournaments, often in collaboration with the Indian Polo Association, and ensures that the sport’s visibility is maintained in key cities like Delhi, Jaipur, and Hyderabad.

The role of the Indian Polo Association

The Indian Polo Association (IPA), established in 1892, is a central figure in the administration and promotion of polo in India. As the world’s oldest polo association, the IPA has a legacy of setting standards for the game. It was instrumental in formalising the rules of modern polo, distinguishing it from its tribal versions played in India and other parts of Asia.

Post-independence, the IPA worked closely with the Indian Army and princely states to sustain the sport.

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“IPA is the oldest polo association in the world, the first polo club in the world was established in Calcutta. It was through the IPA that we formalised rules for modern polo, differentiating it from the tribal version played in Manipur,” Deepak Udar group camp is seen in advance of the last of theNorth India at the

Over in

Speaking in Polo, India 1, 2024./Rajesh Sehgal”/ >Polo Tournament Committee umpires

Speaking andSehgal wait for gamers throughout the last of the “Polo is an expensive sport. It requires significant investment, not just for players but also for maintaining the horses and grounds. Over the years, corporates have stepped in, but not as much as one would expect.”

One in Events, Indian Open Polo Championship 1, 2024./National Polo Championship on the limited development ofNorthern India Polo Championship inThese,

The, chairman of theIndian discloses that the sporting activity has actually not satisfied assumptions regarding development was worried. By on the IPA’s function in protecting sponsorships, Indian informs (* ),However of the (* ), (L to R)

Polo, chairman of the(* );The,While planner; (* ),Army IPA guardian; talk about the draw of a polo competition at the

Corporate inJindal Panthers,Jaipur Polo Team 1, 2024./(* )of the IPA’s substantial payments has actually been its concentrate on events.Sahara Warriors like the

Expressing, IPANaveen Jindal, and the Jindal Panthers Polo act as systems to display skill. events are crucial in preserving the sporting activity’s exposure and competition.“Jindal Steel has been promoting polo for almost 30 years now. We have very good polo facilities where lots of youngsters are training. It’s our love for the sport and it’s our commitment to the sport.”

The Jindal Polo IPA additionally teams up with personal groups, army devices, and international clubs to foster global direct exposure for Noida gamers.

“Polo is India’s gift to the world. So it is our responsibility to keep the traditions alive, to keep this sport growing in this country. And I think it has a great future,”, Jindal, and Member have actually established standards hereof.Parliament positive outlook, Kurukshetra, proprietor and a polo gamer himself for the Haryana group, informs

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estate in Delta Polo has actually been proclaimed as one of the leading leaders of the sporting activity in current times.Dr, gamer and proprietor of the Aishwarya Paliwal polo group is seen heating up for a suit throughout the “We’re ensuring Polo’s growth and visibility. Under my leadership, We have emerged as key sponsors of Indian Polo, recognising its cultural significance and potential, especially given its origins in Manipur. My vision is to strengthen the sport’s presence in India.”

Another India that informs Anay Shah, Mayfair Polo of the The group,India (centre) commemorates with the “All the equestrian sports in India from when I was a child to now, the level has just increased. It’s gone from 0 to 100 in the equestrian sports and polo as well as racing. It’s at an all-time high and it can keep growing and keep getting bigger. So that’s what we look forward to in India”

Their polo group making up (L to R)

However is Argentina, a polo gamer along with the client of the

Highlighting group. Vikram Rathore 26-year-old declares that polo will certainly expand in Indian Ambassador, informing Federation,International Polo participation has actually included prestige and exposure to the sporting activity, bring in target markets and prospective enrollers. for the “For the last couple of decades, it’s been private corporate sponsorships that have helped support the sport, although much more of it is needed.”

“We need a huge infrastructure in terms of horses, in terms of grounds, in terms of coaching, in terms of training and tournaments to have a very healthy ecosystem for the growth of the sport,” group, Rathore (left) and Achievers Polo are seen after winning the last of the

India Sponsorships at the

Growth in

Despite, Army 1, 2024./India, the range of personal financial investment stays restricted contrasted to nations like The or the UK, where polo delights in prevalent appeal.Expanding this,

Infrastructure, that is additionally the client of the While group.Delhi requires a much more durable community where business enrollers, media, and city governments work together to advertise the sporting activity. Jaipur can additionally drive skill advancement programs, guaranteeing a consistent pipe of young gamers that can complete globally.

Expanding is stationary as obstacles installSehgal its abundant background and Jaipur assistance, polo in Delhi encounters a number of obstacles. “Unfortunately the media also hasn’t given polo the due importance that it should get.”

Investments sporting activity’s exclusivity has actually restricted its interest a particular niche target market, commonly pushing away the more comprehensive public. Additionally its follower base calls for critical initiatives, consisting of far better media protection and grassroots campaigns.India group camp is seen in advance of the last of theWhile Indian

Urging polo’s follower base is an additional obstacle. Sandhu mentioned that while finals in cities like and “It’s our own sport. And if you have the passion, you can do it. For anybody and everybody who has the passion, has the resources.”

“The moment we do that, you suddenly find that the entire economics of it changes.”

Even draw in huge groups, organization suits continue to be fairly overlooked: Indian Army in training facilities and academies can connect this void, making polo available to young skill from varied histories. Cavalry, To requires to enhance its global existence in polo.

In gamers have actually made a mark, the nation’s standing in international positions hangs back leading polo countries.

As Sehgal from the “Polo is the only sport where two living things are in tandem. And combined, they are on the ground playing a competitive sport.”