Polo - National
National Open Polo Championship for Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup
Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Bank Alfalah National Open Polo Championship for Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup 2024 will get underway on Tuesday (February 13) at the Lahore Polo Club, marking the beginning of two weeks filled with thrilling polo action.The announcement was made by Malik Azam Hayat Noon, President of the Lahore Polo Club, alongside Syed Irfan Akhtar Gilani, General Manager Central East of Bank Alfalah, and key members of the LPC executive committee, including Mohamed Nasir Khan and Feroze Gulzar. The event has attracted a mix of international and local talent, including players and umpires, signaling a global showcase of polo prowess. This year's championship features five formidable teams, each comprising a blend of two international and two Pakistani players, promising an international flair to the matches. "The tournament will see these teams compete in a series of intense matches over the next fortnight, culminating in a grand finale on Sunday, February 25," said Noon. He expressed gratitude towards Bank Alfalah for their continued patronage of the championship, emphasizing the importance of such support in nurturing the noble sport of polo. The line-up for this premier polo event includes teams such as DS Polo, FG Polo, BN Polo, Diamond Paints/Master Paints, and Olympia/AZB Polo, with players hailing from polo heartlands like Argentina, England, and Spain. The tournament is not only a testament to the skill of national athletes but also a platform for international players to showcase their talents on Pakistani soil. Among the teams competing, Team DS Polo is represented by Daniyal Shaikh, Ahmed Ali Tiwana, Nico Roberts, and Max Charlton. Mir Shoaib Ahmed, Raja Temur Nadeem, Martin Gandara, and Juan Zubiaurre Canal form the lineup for Team Diamond Paints/Master Paints. Team FG Polo boasts talents such as Mian Abbas Mukhtar, Raja Mikayial Sami, Mario Gomes, and Raul Laplacette. Team Olympia/AZB features Ahmed Zubair Butt, Abdul Rehman Monnoo, Valentin Novillo Astrada, and Nicolas Corti, while Team BN Polo is composed of Babar Naseem, Santos Iriarte, Hamza Mawaz Khan, and Santiago Loza, showcasing a diverse array of skills and international experience across the board. The championship's opening match is set between FG Polo and DS Polo at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, with subsequent games unfolding over the course of the tournament, leading to the much-anticipated subsidiary and main finals at the Lahore Polo Club’s iconic Aibak Polo Ground on February 25. Syed Irfan Akhtar Gilani of Bank Alfalah said: "Promoting positive activities through sports is integral to our society. Bank Alfalah is committed to its corporate responsibility of sponsoring sports, and we look forward to continuing our support for the Lahore Polo Club and the broader game of polo in Pakistan."
Jinnah Gold Polo Cup: Olympia/AZB Polo, DS Polo claim wins
Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Olympia/AZB Polo players and DS Polo team have won their matches of the Jinnah Gold Polo Cup after thrashing their respective opponents on its second day at the Jinnah Polo Fields.The tournament's intensity was palpable as teams from Pool A, FG Polo and DS Polo, locked horns in a high-stakes match that ended in a dramatic 5-5 draw, while Olympia/AZB Polo narrowly edged out Master Paints/Diamond Paints with a 5-4 victory.The clash between FG Polo and DS Polo was a showcase of skill and resilience. DS Polo, with Max Charlton leading the charge by netting three goals and Nico Roberts adding two, initially dominated the game. Their early strategy paid off, securing a 3-0 lead by the second chukker and extending it to 5-0 in the third. However, FG Polo, driven by Raul Laplacette's hat-trick and a goal from Mario Gomez, mounted a remarkable comeback. Scoring two quick goals to close the third chukker and adding three more in the final chukker, they levelled the score to 5-5, turning the match into an unforgettable draw.In the day's second match, Olympia/AZB Polo faced off against Master Paints/Diamond Paints in a closely contested battle. The team, led by the duo of Novello Astrada and Nicolas Corti who scored two goals each, along with a single goal from Ahmed Zubair Butt, showcased exceptional teamwork. Despite Amirreza Behboudi's two-goal effort for Master Paints/Diamond Paints and their two-goal handicap advantage, Olympia/AZB Polo's strategic plays in the final chukker secured them a slender 5-4 win.
Jinnah Gold Polo Cup: BN Polo beat Master Paints/Diamond 9-5
Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: BN Polo clinched victory over Master Paints/Diamond Paints with a compelling 9-5 score in the opening match of the 4th Jinnah Gold Polo Cup sponsored by Sarsabz here at Jinnah Polo Fields on Tuesday.The tournament kick-started with an intense face-off between BN Polo and Master Paints/Diamond Paints, witnessing BN Polo taking the lead with a remarkable display of skill and teamwork. Hamza Mawaz Khan of BN Polo stood out with his exceptional performance, netting five impressive goals. Santiago Loza contributed significantly with two goals, while Santos Tomas and Babar Naseem each added one to the tally, showcasing the depth of BN Polo's attacking prowess. On the opposing side, despite a two-goal handicap advantage, Master Paints/Diamond Paints managed to score through Amirreza Behboudi, who found the back of the net twice, and Sufi Haroon, who added one to their score. BN Polo set a vigorous pace right from the start, securing a 2-0 lead early in the game. They continued their dominance into the second chukker, extending their lead to 6-1 with an array of four spectacular goals, contrasting with a single goal from their opponents. The third chukker saw a solitary goal from Master Paints/Diamond Paints narrowing the gap slightly to 6-2. However, BN Polo sealed their victory in the final chukker with a decisive three goals, concluding the match at a solid 9-3 before the handicap adjustment brought the final score to 9-5. Major Ali Taimur (R), Secretary of Jinnah Polo Fields, remarked on the thrilling match that captivated polo players, their families, and enthusiasts alike. The tournament promises more action, with two significant matches lined up for Wednesday: FG Polo vs DS Polo at 2:00 pm, followed by Olympia/AZB Polo facing Master Paints/Diamond Paints at 3:00 pm, ensuring the momentum of the 4th Jinnah Gold Polo Cup continues to build.
Punjab Polo Cup 2024: Diamond/Master Paints qualify for main final
Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Diamond Paints/Master Paints and FG Polo qualified for the main final of the Bank of Punjab (BoP) 95th Punjab Polo Cup 2024 after winning their respective matches played here at the Lahore Polo Club on Friday. Diamond Paints/Master Paints clinched a nail-biting victory against DS Polo with a close score of 8-7 in the day's opening match. Benefiting from a two-goal handicap, Diamond Paints/Master Paints saw Amirreza Behboudi leading the charge with an impressive tally of four goals, complemented by Raja Jalal Arsalan and Raja Temur Nadeem, who contributed one goal each. DS Polo's challenge was spearheaded by Max Charlton, who dominated their scoring with six goals, and Ahmed Ali Tiwana, who added one goal to their effort. Diamond Paints/Master Paints entered the match with a two-goal handicap advantage, quickly capitalizing on it despite DS Polo's opening move, a successful 30-yard penalty, narrowing the gap to 2-1. Responding swiftly, Diamond/Master Paints extended their lead with a field goal, making it 3-1. However, just before the first chukker concluded, DS Polo managed to score another goal, bringing the score to a close 3-2. Kicking off the second chukker, Diamond/Master Paints widened their advantage with another field goal, pushing the score to 4-2. DS Polo, shifting gears, intensified their offensive, netting three consecutive goals to edge ahead with a slender 5-4 lead. Nonetheless, Diamond/Master Paints dominated the third chukker, launching three successive goals to reclaim their lead at 7-5. Despite DS Polo's valiant efforts for a comeback, managing to equalize with two goals, Diamond/Master Paints secured the match with a final goal, culminating in a tight 8-7 victory. The excitement continued as FG Polo secured their spot in the final by overcoming BN Polo with a score of 10-8 in a gripping match. FG Polo showcased their prowess by establishing a lead of 6-3 in the initial four chukkers earlier and yesterday, they maintained their dominance throughout the last four chukkers to secure their victory. The results also set the stage for a compelling subsidiary final, featuring DS Polo and BN Polo. As the tournament approaches its climax, polo enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the showdowns that will determine the champions of one of the sport's most prestigious events.
Punjab Polo Cup: Diamond Paints/Master Paints win opener
Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Diamond Paints/Master Paints defeated Olympia/AZB Polo by 11-8 in the opening match of the Bank of Punjab 95th Punjab Polo Cup 2024 played here at the Lahore Polo Club on Tuesday. Malik Azam Hayat Noon, President of Lahore Polo Club, highlighted that this historic event, backed by Bank of Punjab, features five elite teams, including renowned national and international players, showcasing their skills throughout the week. The inaugural match witnessed a fierce competition between Diamond Paints/Master Paints and Olympia/AZB Polo. Capitalizing on a two-goal handicap advantage, Diamond Paints/Master Paints showcased exceptional talent, with Raja Jalal Arsalan and Amirreza Behboudi scoring five and four goals, respectively. Despite a valiant effort from Olympia/AZB Polo, where Valentin Novillo Astrada netted three goals, Nicolas Corti and Ahmed Zubair Butt each scored twice, and Abdul Rehman Monnoo added one, they fell short. The match began with both teams displaying formidable skills, ending the first chukker with Diamond Paints/Master Paints narrowly leading 3-2. They extended their lead in the second chukker, outscoring their opponents and making it 6-3. However, Olympia/AZB Polo fought back in the third chukker, scoring three consecutive goals to level the score at 6-6. The final and decisive chukker was a nail-biter, with the score tied at 8-8. In a dramatic turn, Diamond Paints/Master Paints clinched a last-minute field goal, securing a 9-8 lead. With the inclusion of their handicap advantage, they triumphed with an 11-8 final score. Santiago Loza and Abdul Sattar officiated the match as field umpires. On Wednesday, two important matches will be played. At 2:00 pm, FG Polo will take on BN Polo, while Olympia/AZB Polo will vie against DS Polo at 3:00 pm.
Open Polo: FG/Din Polo, Remounts book berths in main final
Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: FG/Din Polo and Team Remounts emerged victorious in their respective semifinals played here at the Lahore Polo Club on Friday, qualifying for the main final of the Hamadan Lahore Open Polo Championship sponsored by Hamadan and Samsung. Lahore Polo Club President, Malik Azam Hayat Noon, along with executive committee members, the secretary, and a multitude of players and families, gathered to witness the captivating and exciting matches. In the first semifinal, FG/Din Polo narrowly triumphed over Newage Cables with a 7-6 scoreline. Bilal Haye and Juan Cruz Greguol stole the spotlight with three goals each, securing their team's victory. Amin Rahman contributed the remaining one goal. Hamza Mawaz Khan shone for Newage Cables, scoring four goals, while Shah Shayml Alam and Mohammad Ali Malik each added one. The second semifinal witnessed a clash of titans as Remounts faced off against Rijas Polo. In a hard-fought battle, Rijas Polo emerged victorious with an 8-7 victory. Loa Abelenda led Remounts to victory with an impressive six-goal tally, supported by Omar Asjad Malhi and Mohammad Naeem, each contributing one goal. Despite Juan Manuel Grossi's stellar performance with six goals and Mohib Shahzad adding one, Rijas Polo fell short by a single-goal margin. The main final, set for Sunday (December 24, 2023), promises an intense showdown between FG/Din Polo and Remounts. Meanwhile, in the subsidiary final, Diamond Paints/Platinum Homes will go head-to-head against Master Paints.
Lahore Smart City Polo in Pink Tournament kicks off
Master Paints, Newage Cables, Rijas Polo, and Platinum Homes post triumphsSports Bulletin ReportLAHORE (October 24, 2023): Master Paints, Newage Cables, Rijas Polo, and Platinum Homes registered victories in the Lahore Smart City Polo in Pink Polo Tournament 2023, which rolled into action under the banner of Lahore Polo Club (LPC) here on Tuesday, marking a historic occasion for both women's participation and awareness for breast cancer.In the first match of the day, Master Paints edged out ZS team by a narrow margin of 7-6 while in the second match of the day, Newage Cables outpaced Master Paints Black by 8-3½. Rijas Polo defeated Guard Group by 5-3 in the penultimate fixture of the day, as in the last match of the day, Platinum Homes overwhelmed Barry’s by 12½-5.The participating teams are divided into two pools, with Pool A featuring Lahore Smart City, The Noorpur Bandobast, ZS, Master Paints, FG Polo Team, Remington Pharma, and Diamond Paints. Pool B consists of Pebble Breaker, DS Polo/Sheikhoo, Black Horse Paints, Newage Cables, Platinum Homes, Barry’s, Guard Group, and Rijas Polo. Azam Hayat Noon emphasized the landmark nature of this tournament, highlighting the presence of 15 women players in a first-of-its-kind four-goal competition with 15 teams. He underscored the Lahore Polo Club's status as Pakistan's oldest and most esteemed polo club, consistently delivering top-quality matches for polo enthusiasts worldwide. Noon also noted that 15 female players, hailing from countries like America, England, Australia, Holland, and Iran, have converged on Lahore for this significant event, aimed at raising breast cancer awareness under the banner of Pink Ribbon Pakistan. Two Pakistani female players are also participating in this international gathering. Imran Zahid, Chief Operating Officer of Lahore Smart City, highlighted the company's long-standing connection with polo, emphasizing their support for this regal sport and their commitment to spreading awareness about breast cancer through this annual tournament. He pledged to continue endorsing positive activities in the future. Umar Aftab, CEO of Pink Ribbon Pakistan, expressed gratitude to the Lahore Polo Club, Lahore Smart City, and women from around the world for their support in raising awareness for breast cancer. He acknowledged the vital work done by Pink Ribbon Hospital in combating this disease. Among the female players are Sally Cates, Charlotte Amy, Natasha Monica, Isabelle Victoria, Chloe Victoria Horswell, Scarlett Natasha, and Dominique Tinis from England; Sayeda Aafia, Hadithi Soltani, and Sahir Yaqoubi from Iran; Eesha Haye and Sofia Dean Ali Khan from Pakistan; William Meanley from Holland; Philippa Henry from Australia; and Romina Sinclair from America. The women players expressed their honor to participate in the Lahore Polo Club and commended the tournament's positive cause. They praised Lahore's beauty, hospitality, and eagerly anticipated a competitive and enjoyable week of polo.
Quaid-e-Azam Polo Gold Cup 2023: BN Polo claim Trophy
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: BN Polo outplayed Master Paints/Newage Cables by 12-6 in the Century Ventures National Open Polo Championship for Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup 2023 main final played here at the crowded Lahore Polo Club on Sunday.
Hamza Mawaz Khan emerged as hero of the main final, as he hammered five fabulous goals while he was ably supported by foreign players Tito Ruiz Guinazu and Elena Venot, who contributed with two and three goals respectively. Babar Naseem converted one goal. For Master Paints/Newage Cables, Simon Prado scored a hat-trick while Juan Cruz Greguol knocked in a brace and Raja Temur Nadeem scored one goal.
BN Polo were off to flying start in the final, as they thrashed in three goals, two by Hamza and one by Tito Ruiz, to take a 3-0 lead while Master Paints/Newage’s Simon Prado converted one before the end of the first chukker to make it 1-3. Prado added one more in his team’s tally at the beginning of the second chukker to further reduce the margin to 2-3. But BN bounced back well by banging in a brace, one each by Hamza and Tito Ruiz, to stretch their lead to 5-2.
The third chukker began with a field goal by Raja Temur that helped MP/Newage make it 3-5 but BN Polo converted two back-to-back goals through Hamza and Babar to enhance their lead to 7-3. The highly-charged fourth chukker saw BN Polo cracked a quartet including two by Elena and one each by Tito and Hamza. They earned a healthy 11-3 lead while MP/Newage scored three goals, two by Greguol and one by Prado to reduce the deficit to 6-11. In the decisive chukker, BN Polo struck the only goal through Elena Venot to win the historic event by 12-6.
Earlier in the Subsidiary Final, Team FG Polo outpaced DS Polo by 10-6. For FG Polo, Juan Ambroggio emerged as top scorer with a contribution of five goals while Abbas Mukhtar struck a hat-trick and Ramiro Zavaleta banged in a brace. For DS Polo, Javier Gurrero thrashed in three goals while Hissam Ali Hyder scored two and Bilal Haye hit one goal.
The chief guest of the final was Chairman Pakistan Polo Association Lt Gen Khalid Zia while Club President Umar Sadiq, Directors of Century Ventures Pvt. Ltd. Ayaz Lakhani, Kamran Afzal, Wasim Mazhar, Nazia Wasim, Secretary of PPA Lt Col Ayaz Mahmood, LPC executive committee members, players, their families and a large number of spectators were also present on the occasion.
In the end, the chief guest distributed prizes among the winners, runners-up and top performers and also honoured the organizers and club staff. Ibrahim Sultan was awarded in -2 to 0 category, Basel Faisal Khokhar in 0 to 2 category and Agha Musa Ali Khan in 2 to 4 category while the most valuable pakistani player of the season award was handed over to Hamza Mawaz Khan and the best foreign player of the tournament to Tito Ruiz Guinazu.
Simon Prado of Master Paints scored the most goals in the tournament. The best Pakistani mare of the tournament was awarded to Raja Temur Nadeem's mare 11-481. The Syed Wajid Ali Shah trophy was awarded to Kamila, a foreign mare owned by Babar Naseem.
Match Summary (Main Final):
BN Polo beat Master Paint/Newage Cables (12-6)
BN POLO: Hamza Mawaz Khan 5, Elena Venot 3, Juan Ruiz Guinazu 3, Babar Naseem. Total: 12.
MASTER PAINTS/NEWAGE: Simon Prado 3, Juan Cruz Greguol 2, Raja Temur Nadeem 1. Total: 6.
UMPIRES: John Fisher & Chris Hyde.
Subsidiary (Final)
FG Polo beat DS Polo (10-6)
FG POLO: Juan Ambroggio 5, Abbas Mukhtar 3, Ramiro Zavaleta 2: Total: 10
DS POLO: Javier Gurrero 3, Hissam Ali Hyder 2, Bilal Haye 1: Total: 6.
UMPIRES: John Fisher & Chris Hyde.
Diamond Paints fourth team to qualify for National Open Polo semifinals
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: Diamond Paints emerged as winners of the penalty shootouts contested among three teams that helped them qualify for the semifinals as the fourth team in the Century Ventures National Open Polo Championship for Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup 2023 here at the Lahore Polo Club on Thursday.
The penalty shootouts were played among three teams including Diamond Paints, FG Polo and DS Polo. From Diamond Paint, Chulo Corti managed to convert three penalties out of four to help side emerge as triumphant. From FG Polo, Ramiro Zavaleta could slam in only one out of four penalties while from DS Polo, Javier Gurrero failed to convert a single one.
With the qualification of Diamond Paints in the semifinals as the fourth team, now the lineup for the semifinals has been completed. Now in the semifinals to be played tomorrow (Friday), BN Polo will take on Diamond Paints and Master Paints/Newage will compete against Master Paints. Meanwhile, DS Polo and FG Polo have qualified for the subsidiary final.
Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup: Master Paints breeze into semifinals
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: Master Paints qualified for the semifinals of the Century Ventures National Open Polo Championship for Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup 2023 here at the Lahore Polo Club. The fourth semifinalist will be decided on penalty shootouts among the three teams on tomorrow (Thursday).
In the first match, Master Paints defeated HN Polo by 12-6. From Master Paints, Manuel Crespo played a great game and smashed superb six goals while Pelayo Berrazadi hammered a hat-trick, Sufi Mohammad Haroon banged in a brace and Agha Musa Ali Khan scored one goal. For HN Polo, Raja Mohammad Mikael Sami thrashed in three goals, Santiago Loza scored two goals and Haider Naseem struck one.
Master Paints started the match in great style as they converted a field goal to take a 1-0 lead. HN Polo made a strong comeback with three back-to-back goals to gain a 3-1 lead. Master Paints first scored the only goal of the second chukker to make it 2-3 and then hammered a hat-trick in the third chukker to get back a 5-3 lead.
In the fourth chukker, HN Polo bounced back in style and thrashed in three goals against one by Master Paints to level the score at 6-6. The fifth and decisive chukker saw the total dominance of Master Paints, who smashed in superb six goals to win the match by 12-6, thus also qualifying for the semifinals.
In the second match, Diamond Paints team missed the opportunity to qualify for the semifinals directly as they lost the important match against FG Polo by 4-6. For FG Polo, Juan Ambroggio hammered three goals while Mian Abbas Mukhtar struck a brace and Ramiro Zavaleta scored one goal. For Diamond Paints, Chulo Corti scored two goals, Ahmed Ali Tiwana and Mir Huzaifa Ahmed hit one goal apiece.
FG Polo made a tremendous start in the match with two back-to-back goals to earn a 2-0 lead. They added two more goals in the second chukker to have a 4-0 lead but Diamond Paints then made their presence felt by thrashing in three back-to-back goals to reduce the deficit to 3-4. The only goal of the third chukker was converted by FG Polo that helped them enhance their lead to 5-3. In the fourth chukker, Diamond Paints struck one more to reduce the margin to 4-5 but FG Polo added one more in their tally, taking their lead to 6-4. No more goals were scored after that, thus FG Polo winning the match by 6-4.
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