Indian Army to organise 'Awadh Polo Week' polo championship in December

Game of polo (file photo)

Lucknow, Nov 14 (IANS)

After the huge success of the first edition of the polo hampionship last year, the Indian Army's Central Command will organise the 'Awadh Polo Week' at the Surya Polo Ground here Dec 8-14, an official said Friday.

Seven teams - Army Service Corps from Bangalore, RVC from Meerut, Indian Military Academy from Dehradun, National Defence Academy from Pune, Artillery from Nashik, 61 Cavalry from Jaipur and the Indian Navy - will take part in the competition, the official told IANS.

The main event will be Army Commanders exhibition match Dec 10 and added attraction for the citizens would be a vintage car rally and paramotor display. Lucknow has the unique distinction of being the first city to host Indian Polo Association Cup (Indian Open) 1912. The city then had two Polo grounds - one at La Martiniere College and the other opposite the MB Club. However, both were left to neglect.

The Central Command has now taken the initiative to revive and popularise the sport in the city, for which the Surya Polo Ground is being prepared to host the tournament. Fast paced and very exciting to watch, the sport has further strengthened bond and bonhomie between Surya Command and citizens of Lucknow.

Indian team players Maj. Vishal Chauhan and Lt. Col. Ravi Rathore of 61 Cavalry and Brig. S.S. Kashyap of Central Command will participate in the event. Noted national-level players Col. G.S. Pandher and Lt. Col. Samanthray will also vie for top honours.