Unique | Maintaining polo alive in India: A legacy sustained by troopers, sponsors, and fervour

Polo, sometimes called the “Sport of Kings,” is deeply embedded in India’s cultural and historic material. From its origins in Manipur to its elevation as a sport of status by the British and princely states, the sport has travelled by means of centuries.

But, its survival in the present day owes a lot to the steadfast dedication of the Indian Military, which has performed a pivotal function in preserving and selling polo as a nationwide treasure.

In
our earlier function, we explored the fundamentals of polo and its progress potential in India.

Now, we delve deeper into the game’s distinctive ties with the military, the historic contributions of the 61st Cavalry, the efforts of the Indian Polo Affiliation (IPA), and the potential for personal sponsorship to safe polo’s future in India.

The Indian Military’s obligation in sustaining polo

The Indian Military has been the bedrock of polo in India, guaranteeing its survival by means of tumultuous occasions.

Following India’s independence, the decline of princely states and their monetary assist for polo left a vacuum. The Military, recognising the cultural and strategic significance of equestrian abilities, stepped in to maintain the game.

One of many Military’s vital contributions has been the availability of infrastructure. Veteran polo participant Syed Shamsheer Ali, highlighted the Military’s contributions, telling Firstpost, “The Indian Military is the one who’s helped polo over time. They’ve the grounds and amenities. It’s due to them that polo is alive in India.”

“We’re taking part in polo on the military floor, military amenities as a result of they assist us. With out their assist, polo would exist solely in a number of pockets,” added Ali, who was additionally awarded the ‘Most worthy participant’ trophy on the Col. Girdhari Memorial Polo Cup held from November 26, 2024 to December 1, 2024 within the nationwide capital.

Throughout India, army institutions keep a number of the nation’s most interesting polo grounds, permitting tournaments and observe classes to thrive. The Military additionally offers coaching amenities for its officers, a lot of whom grow to be expert gamers and characterize India in nationwide and worldwide tournaments.

Polo’s integration into the Military’s ethos just isn’t merely leisure. Equestrian actions, together with polo, improve bodily health, decision-making, and staff spirit amongst personnel.

“Polo by the military just isn’t solely a sport, it’s additionally army diplomacy. It’s an Indian sport. It’s our sport, our present to the world. We should take a look at it like that,” Colonel Navjit Singh Sandhu, former commander of the 61st Cavalry and ex-captain of the nationwide polo staff, tells Firstpost.

Joint polo tournaments with worldwide army groups assist foster goodwill and strengthen bilateral relations, said Sandhu. These tournaments typically draw giant audiences, exposing new generations to the game.

Furthermore, the Military’s dedication to polo goes past simply sustaining traditions. By organising and taking part in main tournaments, such because the Indian Open and President’s Cup, it ensures the game stays aggressive.

These occasions typically function showcases for expertise and convey collectively civilian and army gamers, creating a novel camaraderie that sustains the polo fraternity.

The 61st Cavalry: Custodians of polo’s legacy

The 61st Cavalry is a jewel in India’s army heritage, embodying the glory of the cavalry period. Fashioned in 1953 by merging the Mysore Lancers, Jodhpur Lancers, Gwalior Lancers, a part of Patiala Lancers, and the Saurashtra Cavalry, this regiment carries ahead the traditions of horse-mounted warfare whereas embracing its function as a guardian of polo. It is likely one of the world’s final remaining energetic horse-mounted cavalry models.

Traditionally, these lancers had been concerned in vital battles, resembling
the World Warfare I marketing campaign in Haifa, the place Indian cavalry models achieved outstanding victories.

Placing a highlight on the Military unit and its affiliation with the game of polo, Lt Col Atul Gupta (Retd), having served within the 61st Cavalry, offers some perception: “So the way it went was that originally the British military was based mostly round irregular cavalry forces of the state forces just like the royal households. So initially the ‘sawar’ [a trained soldier on horseback] needed to deliver his personal weapon and personal horse to be a part of the irregular cavalry of the royal state forces.”

“So from there it began as a way of coaching throughout peacetime after which it picked up as a sport after which particular person royal homes began taking part in it as a part of their military irregular cavalry after which after independence when there have been no extra state forces, the 61st cavalry was created,” Gupta, who can be the manager committee member of Delhi zone on the IPA, tells Firstpost.

After the mechanisation of the Military lowered the operational function of horses, the 61st Cavalry turned a ceremonial unit. Nevertheless, its function in polo saved its traditions alive, making it a world image of India’s equestrian tradition.

At this time, the regiment performs a twin function: it upholds India’s cavalry traditions and fosters younger polo expertise. Officers of the 61st Cavalry are skilled rigorously in equestrian disciplines, guaranteeing they excel on the polo discipline.

The regiment additionally breeds and trains horses for polo, contributing to the game’s infrastructure in a rustic the place equine administration is a big problem.

The 61st Cavalry’s involvement in polo goes past taking part in. It organises tournaments, typically in collaboration with the Indian Polo Affiliation, and ensures that the game’s visibility is maintained in key cities like Delhi, Jaipur, and Hyderabad.

The function of the Indian Polo Affiliation

The Indian Polo Affiliation (IPA), established in 1892, is a central determine within the administration and promotion of polo in India. Because the world’s oldest polo affiliation, the IPA has a legacy of setting requirements for the sport. It was instrumental in formalising the foundations of recent polo, distinguishing it from its tribal variations performed in India and different components of Asia.

Submit-independence, the IPA labored intently with the Indian Military and princely states to maintain the game.

“IPA is the oldest polo affiliation on the earth, the primary polo membership on the earth was established in Calcutta. It was by means of the IPA that we formalised guidelines for contemporary polo, differentiating it from the tribal model performed in Manipur,” Deepak Udar, North India IPA steward, tells Firstpost.

Over the a long time, it has advanced to handle new challenges, resembling attracting youthful gamers, securing sponsorship, and increasing polo’s attain
past elite circles.

Talking on the restricted progress of Polo in India, Rajesh Sehgal, chairman of the Polo Event Committee reveals that the game has not met expectations so far as progress was involved.

Talking on the IPA’s function in securing sponsorships, Sehgal tells Firstpost, “Polo is an costly sport. It requires vital funding, not only for gamers but additionally for sustaining the horses and grounds. Through the years, corporates have stepped in, however not as a lot as one would count on.”

One of many IPA’s vital contributions has been its give attention to tournaments. Occasions just like the Indian Open Polo Championship, IPA Nationwide Polo Championship, and the Northern India Polo Championship function platforms to showcase expertise. These tournaments are essential in sustaining the game’s visibility and competitiveness.

The IPA additionally collaborates with non-public groups, army models, and overseas golf equipment to foster worldwide publicity for Indian gamers. By facilitating these partnerships, it helps Indian polo fanatics join with world tendencies within the sport. Nevertheless, regardless of these efforts, the IPA faces vital hurdles in making polo extra inclusive and financially sustainable.

Polo is an inherently costly sport, and its reliance on non-public sponsorship is important for long-term progress. The prices of sustaining horses, hiring expert gamers, and managing high-quality grounds are prohibitive. Whereas the Military and the IPA have sustained polo to a big extent, non-public funding is essential to raise the game to new heights.

Company-backed groups just like the Jindal Panthers, Jaipur Polo Workforce, and Sahara Warriors have set benchmarks on this regard.

Expressing optimism, Naveen Jindal, proprietor and a polo participant himself for the Jindal Panthers Polo staff, tells Firstpost, “Jindal Metal has been selling polo for nearly 30 years now. We have now superb polo amenities the place a number of children are coaching. It’s our love for the game and it’s our dedication to the game.”

The Jindal Polo property in Noida has been touted as one of many main pioneers of the game in current occasions.

“Polo is India’s present to the world. So it’s our accountability to maintain the traditions alive, to maintain this sport rising on this nation. And I feel it has an ideal future,” added Jindal, who can be presently serving as a third-time Member of Parliament from Kurukshetra, Haryana.

These groups not solely put money into world-class amenities and horses but additionally deliver knowledgeable method to managing tournaments and expertise.

A personal polo staff already within the fray is the Delta Polo staff led by patron Dr. Aishwarya Paliwal who tells Firstpost, “We’re guaranteeing Polo’s progress and visibility. Below my management, We have now emerged as key sponsors of Indian Polo, recognising its cultural significance and potential, particularly given its origins in Manipur. My imaginative and prescient is to strengthen the game’s presence in India.”

One other new entrant to the polo scene in India is Anay Shah, a polo participant in addition to the patron of the Mayfair Polo staff. The 26-year-old is constructive that polo will develop in India, telling Firstpost, “All of the equestrian sports activities in India from after I was a toddler to now, the extent has simply elevated. It’s gone from 0 to 100 within the equestrian sports activities and polo in addition to racing. It’s at an all-time excessive and it could possibly continue to grow and hold getting larger. In order that’s what we look ahead to in India”

Their involvement has added glamour and visibility to the game, attracting audiences and potential sponsors.

Nevertheless, the size of personal funding stays restricted in comparison with nations like Argentina or the UK, the place polo enjoys widespread reputation.

Highlighting this, Vikram Rathore, Indian Ambassador to the Federation of Worldwide Polo tells Firstpost, “For the final couple of a long time, it’s been non-public company sponsorships which have helped assist the game, though far more of it’s wanted.”

“We want an enormous infrastructure by way of horses, by way of grounds, by way of teaching, by way of coaching and tournaments to have a really wholesome ecosystem for the expansion of the game,” added Rathore, who can be the patron of the Achievers Polo staff.

India wants a extra sturdy ecosystem the place company sponsors, media, and native governments collaborate to advertise the game. Sponsorships can even drive expertise improvement applications, guaranteeing a gentle pipeline of younger gamers who can compete internationally.

Progress is stagnant as challenges mount

Regardless of its wealthy historical past and Military assist, polo in India faces a number of challenges. The game’s exclusivity has restricted its enchantment to a distinct segment viewers, typically alienating the broader public. Increasing its fan base requires strategic efforts, together with higher media protection and grassroots initiatives.

Infrastructure improvement is one other essential space. Whereas cities like Delhi and Jaipur have well-maintained polo grounds, smaller cities with a historical past of equestrian tradition typically lack such amenities.

Increasing polo’s fan base is one other problem. Sehgal identified that whereas finals in cities like Jaipur and Delhi appeal to giant crowds, league matches stay comparatively ignored: “Sadly the media additionally hasn’t given polo the due significance that it ought to get.”

Investments in coaching facilities and academies can bridge this hole, making polo accessible to younger expertise from numerous backgrounds. Moreover, India must strengthen its worldwide presence in polo. Whereas Indian gamers have made a mark, the nation’s standing in world rankings lags behind prime polo nations.

Urging gamers to affix the game, Sandhu tells Firstpost, “It’s our personal sport. And if in case you have the eagerness, you are able to do it. For anyone and all people who has the eagerness, has the sources.”

“The second we do this, you out of the blue discover that the whole economics of it adjustments.”

Regardless that the Indian Military, the 61st Cavalry, and the IPA have executed commendable work in holding this sport alive. To make sure polo thrives within the twenty first century, broader efforts are required.

In doing so, the nation won’t solely protect a centuries-old custom but additionally encourage a brand new era to take up this outstanding sport.

As Sehgal, a determine who has been taking part in polo as properly for the final 4 a long time, put it:  “Polo is the one sport the place two residing issues are in tandem. And mixed, they’re on the bottom taking part in a aggressive sport.”