Polo
Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup: Master Paints/Newsage, Master Paints winners
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: Master Paints/Newage Cables and Diamond Paints won the opening day matches of the Century Ventures National Open Polo Championship for Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup 2023 that commenced here at the Lahore Polo Club on Tuesday.
Simon Prado’s eight excellent t goals guided Master Paints/Newage Cables to a 10-8 victory over Master Paints in the first match of the day. Besides Prado’s excellent eight goals, Juan Cruz Greguol also played well and banged in a brilliant brace. For Master Paints, Manuel Crespo cracked a quartet while Agha Musa Ali Khan scored 2 goals and Pelagio Balazaldi and Sufi Mohammad Haroon struck one goal each.
The first chukker saw both the teams starting well against each other and it ended at 2-2. Master Paints dominated the entire second chukker to take 5-2 lead. Master Paints/Newage bounced well in the third chukker by scoring two goals to reduce the margin to 4-5. Master Paints/Newage maintained their dominance in the fourth chukker as well to gain 7-6 lead.
The fifth and last chukker saw both the sides playing very well but Master Paints/Newage once again showed their class and dominance and converted a classic hat-trick of goals against two goals by Master Paints to win the encounter by a close margin of 10-8.
Mir Huzaifa Ahmad and Chulo Corti excelled in the second match, where Diamond Paints routed Remounts by 9-6. Both Mir Huzaifa Ahmed and Chulo Corti played brilliantly for Diamond Paints and hammered a hat-trick each while Ahmed Ali Tiwana struck a brace and Nico Roberts hit one goal. For Remounts, Manuel Sundblad smashed five goal and Ahmed Zubair Butt scored one goal.
DIamond Paints started the match well and kept pressure on Remounts to take the lead in the first chukker. Remounts bounced back in the second chukker to level the score but Diamond Paints once again started aggressive polo and took a healthy lead, which maintained in the fourth and fifth chukker to win the match by 9-6.
Lahore Polo Club President Umar Sadiq, executive committee members, polo players and a large number of spectators and families were present to watch the exciting polo matches at Lahore Polo Club. Today (Wednesday), two important matches will be played. FG Polo and BN Polo will compete at 1:30 PM, while HN Polo will compete against DS Polo at 3:30 PM.
National Open Polo Championship to start on March 7, 2023
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: The Century 99 National Open Polo Championship for Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup 2023 will roll into action tomorrow (Tuesday) here at the historic grounds of Lahore Polo Club.
The 60-year-old prestigious National Open Polo trophy was unveiled by President of Lahore Polo Club Umar Sadiq along with Executive Committee members Agha Murtaza Ali Khan, Shah Qubilai Alam, Feroze Gulzar, Agha Najeeb Raza and directors of sponsors Century Ventures Pvt Ayaz Lakhani, Kamran Afzal, Waseem Mazhar and Nazia Waseem.
Umar Sadiq said that the National Open Polo Championship is a historic tournament of Lahore Polo Club, which is known as the biggest tournament of the country and every year, the world's top polo players come to the club to participate in this prestigious highest-goal tournament of Pakistan and amuse the spectators with their excellent mallet and pony skills, making the matched more enthralling and interesting.
The Lahore Polo Club president expressed special gratitude to Century Ventures for sponsoring polo, the game of kings and knights. “Total eight teams are taking part in the tournament, which are divided into two pools. Pool A includes Remounts, Master Paints/Newage Cables, HN Polo and FG Polo while Pool B comprises DS Polo, BN Polo, Diamond Paints and Master Paints,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Waseem Mazhar, Director Century Ventures, said: "Polo is the biggest sport in the region, and it is a great pleasure to support the sport of kings. We have great attachment with Lahore Polo Club since long, which has now turned into a strong bond, and we are keen to continue this support in future as well.”
Director Ayaz Lakhani, while sharing his views, thanked the management of Lahore Polo Club for providing an opportunity to Century Ventures to sponsor the game of polo and this 60-year-old tournament. “Polo is a lifestyle game, and it is witnessed and enjoyed by a good number of lively Lahoris at Lahore Polo Club. We will continue to support polo in future.”
Lahore Polo Club executive committee member Agha Murtaza Ali Khan said: "Both pools will play cross-pools for two weeks after which the top two teams from each pool will qualify for the semifinals. In all, 20 enthralling matches will be played throughout the tournament.
“Both official umpires John Fisher and Chris Hyde have come from England to supervise the tournament. Players from Argentina, Spain and England are participating in this event of Pakistan Polo Association (PPA) and each team includes two foreign players and one foreign female player,” he added.
The first match will be played between Master Paints/Newage Cables and Master Paints at 1:30 pm at Ground No 1 while Remounts will take on Diamond Paints at 3:30 pm at Aibak Ground. On Wednesday (March 8), FG Polo will compete BN Polo at 1:30 pm at Ground No 1 while HN Polo will vie against DS Polo at 3:30 pm at Aibak Ground. Similarly, the competition will continue for two weeks, and the final will take place on March 19, 2023.
President of Pakistan Polo Cup 2023: FG Polo lift coveted trophy
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: FG Polo clinched the coveted trophy of the 2nd President of Pakistan Polo Cup 2023 sponsored by Takmeel Square after edging past BN Polo by 9½-9 in the main final here at the Jinnah Polo Fields.
The main final of five rounds remained very enthralling and interesting. Raul Laplacette was the hero of the final as he amused the spectators with his outstanding mallet and polo pony skills and techniques. He contributed with superb six goals while his teammates Ramiro Zavaleta, Saqib Khan Khakwani and Mian Abbas Mukhtar converted one goal apiece. For BN Polo, Hamza Mawaz Khan fired in four goals while Tito Ruiz Guinazu contributed with a hat-trick and Baber Naseem with a brace.
The main final saw both the teams scoring one goal each in the first chukker to end it at 1-1. FG Polo started the second chukker with a conversion of 30-yard penalty to take a 2-1 lead but BN Polo bounced back well by thrashing in two back-to-back goals to earn a slight 3-2 lead. FG Polo then dominated the third chukker by cracking a classic quartet against one goal by BN Polo to gain a healthy 6-4 lead.
The highly-charged fourth chukker saw both the sides playing out their hearts and scoring one goal after another but BN Polo played better polo and smashed in five goals against three goals by FG Polo to draw the score at 9-9. It was a half goal handicap advantage that helped FG Polo emerge as winners of the prestigious tournament and clinch the coveted trophy, handed over to them by President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi. Chris Hyde and John Fisher officiated the match as field umpires.
Earlier, Master Paints defeated Remounts by 9½-7 to win the subsidiary final. Manuel Crispo emerged as star of the day for Master Paints, which had a half goal handicap advantage, as he smashed in superb five goals while Sufi Mohammad Haroon banged in a brace and Agha Musa Ali Khan and Pelagio Balazaldi struck one goal each. For Remounts, Manuel Sundblad hammered five goals while Ahmad Zubair Butt and Jota Chavavanne converted one goal each.
President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi grace the final as chief guest and witnessed and enjoyed the enthralling and entertaining final. Jinnah Polo Fields Patron, President, Secretary as well as Takmeel Square CEO Dr. Kamran Fazal, and people from different walks of life were present on the occasion.
At the closing ceremony, President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi distributed prizes among the winners and top performers. Man of the match trophy was awarded to Raul Laplacette while the best mare of the match trophy was awarded to Mian Abbas Mukhtar's polo pony Funa. Army band also amused the spectators with their impressive performance. Rangers and Aitchison College boys and girls team also put on a spectacular display of tent-pegging.
President Polo Cup: BN Polo, FG Polo qualify for main final
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: BN Polo and FG Polo qualified for the main final of the 2nd President of Pakistan Polo Cup 2023 sponsored by Takmeel Square after winning their respective semifinals played here on Friday at the Jinnah Polo Fields.
Heroics of Roberto Arias and Hamza Mawaz Khan helped BN Polo qualify for the main final after outsmarting Diamond Paints by 6-3 in the first semifinal of the day. Roberto Arias and Hamza Mawaz were in sublime form and played excellent polo for BN Polo and thrashed in three goals each. For Diamond Paints, all three goals were converted by Chulo Corti.
Diamond Paints got off to a flying start as they converted two 40-yard penalties successfully to earn a 2-0 lead in the first chukker. BN Polo bounced back well in the second chukker with two back-to-back goals to level the score at 2-2. They added two more goals in the tally in the third chukker, but Diamond Paints then converted a 40-yard penalty to reduce the margin to 3-4.
The rest of the match was then dominated by BN Polo, as they first converted one goal in the dying moments of the third chukker to stretch their lead to 5-3 and then slammed in one more in the fourth and last chukker to comfortably win the match by 6-3.
Raul Laplacette was the hero as FG Polo edged past Master Paints/Newage Cables by a narrow margin of 9-8 in extra time on sudden death in the thrilling second semifinal of the day. From FG Polo, Rual Laplacette did magic with mallet and polo pony and fired in five fantastic goals while Mian Abbas Mukhtar banged in a brace and Ramiro Zavaletta and Saqib Khan Khakwani converted one goal apiece.
For Master Paints/Newage Cables, Simon Prado smashed in superb five goals while Juan Cruz Greguoli thrashed in two goals and Farooq Amin Sufi struck one goal.
FG Polo started the match aggressively by hammering a hat-trick of goals to gain a good 3-0 lead while Master Paints/Newage converted one to make it 3-1. The second chukker was also dominated by FG Polo, who malleted three goals against one by Master Paints /Newage to enhance their lead to 6-2.
The third chukker saw the total dominance of Master Paints, who fired in four fabulous goals one after another to draw the blood at 6-6. The highly-charged fourth chukker was very closely contested and both the teams tried hard to take the lead but with the score of two goals each by both the sides, the score was equal at 8-8.
In the dying moments of the match, it was anyone’s match but FG Polo players held their nerves and Raul Laplacette smashed in the match-winning goal. Now, the finals of the prestigious tournament will be played on Sunday afternoon between BN Polo and FG Polo.
President of Pakistan Polo Cup 2023: Semifinals on March 3, 2023
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: The semifinals of the 2nd President of Pakistan Polo Cup 2023 sponsored by Takmeel Square will be played tomorrow (Friday) here at the Jinnah Polo Fields.
The first semifinal of the prestigious tournament will be played between BN Polo and Diamond Paints at 2:30 PM, while FG Polo will face Master Paints/Newage Cables at 3:30 PM in the second semifinal. Earlier on Thursday, two important matches were played, after which Remounts and Master Paints qualified for the subsidiary finals.
In the first match of the day, Menuel Sundblad steered Remounts to a nail-biting 6-5 win over DS Polo in the extra time, known as sudden death chukker. For Remounts, Manuel Sundblad played brilliant polo and smashed in five fabulous goals while Jota Chavanne converted one goal. For DS Polo, Hissam Ali Hyder fired in four fantastic goals and Bilal Haye struck one. But their efforts proved futile in the end.
Remounts opened their account with a fabulous field goal to take a 1-0 lead, but DS Polo cracked an equalizer just before the end of the first chukker to make it 1-1. They thrashed in two back-to-back goals to gain a slight 3-1 lead in the second chukker. The third chukker saw DS Polo adding one more goal in their tally, stretching their lead to 4-1 but Remounts then made a strong comeback by banging in two back-to-back goals to reduce the margin to 3-4.
In the fourth chukker, Remounts continued to play well and fired in a field goal to draw the blood at 4-4. At this point, it was anyone’s match, but DS Polo came from behind to smash a field goal to have an edge of 5-4. Remounts also showed their class and converted a field goal to level the score at 4-4 just before the end of the chukker and the match entered the sudden death chukker, where both the teams fought well against each other, but it was hero of the match Manuel Sundblad, who hammered the match-winning goal to help his side score a thrilling 6-5 victory.
ManueI Crispo’s superb performance guided Master Paints to an impressive 7-4 triumph over HN Polo in the second match of the day. In-form Manuel Crespo emerged as top scorer with a contribution of six splendid goals while Agha Musa Ali Khan struck the remaining one from the winning side. For HN Polo, Santi Losa thrashed in three goals while Mikayial Sami hit one goal.
The first chukker saw both the sides scoring one goal each to make it 1-1. But the second chukker was then fully dominated by Master Paints by thrashing in three back-to-back goals to gain a good 4-1 lead. They continued their good show in the third chukker as well by hammering another hat-trick of goals to enhance their lead to 7-1. HN Polo bounced back well and converted one goal in the third chukker and two in the fourth and last chukker to reduce the margin, but it was too little too late, as they lost the match by 4-7.
President Polo Cup: Diamond Paints, FG Polo qualify for semifinals
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: Diamond Paints and FG Polo from Pool B qualified for the semifinals of the 2nd President of Pakistan Polo Cup 2023 sponsored by Takmeel Square here at the Jinnah Polo Fields on Tuesday.
Chulo Corti excelled in the Diamond Paints’ emphatic 8-4 victory over DS Polo team in the first match of the day. This victory also helped Diamond Paints qualify for the semifinals. Chulo Corti did the magic with mallet and polo pony and fired in five fabulous goals while Ahmed Ali Tiwana banged in a brace and Nico Roberts struck one goal. Hissam Ali Haider thrashed in three goals and Daniyal Shaikh hit one goal for DS Polo.
Both the teams were off to a flying start as they fought well against each other and succeeded in converting two goals each to finish the first chukker at 2-2. DS Polo played better polo in the second chukker and pumped in two back-to-back goals to take a 4-2 lead. The remaining match was then dominated fully by Diamond Paints, who thrashed in three goals each in the third and fourth chukkers to win the encounter by 8-4.
Raul Laplacette’s heroics helped FG Polo beat Master Paints 5-3½ in the second match of the day. Laplacette was in sublime form and played excellent polo while smashing in three tremendous goals while his teammate Mian Abbas Mukhtar converted two goals. For Master Paints, which had a half goal handicap advantage, Manuel Crispo malleted all the three goals.
The first chukker saw both the sides scoring one goal each to make it 1-1. No goal was scored in the second chukker while FG Polo then banged in a brace to gain a slight 3-1 lead, but Master Paints replied strongly and struck one to reduce the margin to 2-3. They added one more goal in the beginning of the fourth and last chukker by converting a 30-yard penalty to level the score at 3-3. FG Polo then pumped in two back-to-back goals to win the match by 5-3½.
Thus, the first semifinal of the prestigious event will be played between BN Polo and Diamond Paints on Friday, while the second semifinal will be contested between FG Polo and Master Paints/Newage Cables. The four losing teams on Thursday will play qualifying matches for the semifinals.
President Polo Cup: BN Polo, Master Paints/Newage qualify for semifinals
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: BN Polo and Master Paints/Newage Cables from Pool A qualified for the semifinals of the 2nd President of Pakistan Polo Cup 2023 sponsored by Takmeel Square here at the Jinnah Polo Fields on Sunday.
Simon Prado guided Master Paints/Newage Cables to a nail-biting 8-7 victory over Remounts to qualify for the semifinals. Simon Prado was in sublime form as he played outstanding polo and contributed with four fabulous goals while Juan Cruz Greguoli slammed in two goals and Raja Temur Nadeem and Farooq Amin Sufi struck one goal each for Master Paints/Newage Cables. Manuel Sundblad fired in four goals while Ahmed Zubair Butt hammered a hat-trick for Remounts.
Both the teams started the match well and converted two goals each to finish the first chukker at 2-2. Master Paints/Newage dominated the match with two back-to-back goasl to gain a 4-2 lead. They added one more in their tally in the beginning of the third chukker to stretch their lead to 5-2. Remounts then made a strong comeback by smashing in five fantastic goals to take 7-5 lead. Master Paints/Newage also bounced back in style by thrashing in three back-to-back goals in the fourth and last chukker to win the thrilling match by 8-7.
Roberto Iturrioz Arias heroics helped BN Polo defeat HN Polo by 7-6 in the second match of the day. For BN Polo, Roberto Iturrioz Arias played excellent polo and hammered a hat-trick of goals while Hamza Mawaz Khan banged in a brace and Tito Ruiz and Baber Naseem converted one goal apiece. For HN Polo, Mikayial Sami thrashed in three goals and Santi Losa pumped in a brace and Haider Naseem struck one.
BN Polo were off to a flying start as they hammered a hat-trick of goals to have a 3-0 lead in the first chukker. They added two more in their tally in the second chukker to enhance their lead to 5-0 while HN Polo banged in a brace to reduce the margin to 5-2. The third chukker was evenly poised as both the sides scored two goals each with BN Polo still having a 7-4 lead. HN Polo though dominated the fourth and last chukker by smashing in two goals to reduce the deficit to 7-6 yet their efforts couldn’t yield fruit for their side and lost the crucial match by 6-7.
From Pool A, BN Polo team won all the three matches and topped the points table while Master Paints/Newage Cables secured second position. The main matches of Pool B will be played on Tuesday after which the semifinal teams of Pool B will be decided.
President of Pakistan Polo Cup: Two vital matches on Sunday
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: Two important matches will be played in the 2nd President of Pakistan Polo Cup 2023, sponsored by Takmeel Square on Sunday (February 26) here at the Jinnah Polo Fields.
Both the Pools have quite an interesting position. The first match of the day will be played between Remounts and Master Paints/Newage Cables at 2:30 pm while the second match of the day will be contested between BN Polo and HN Polo at 3:30 pm.
According to Jinnah Polo Fields (JPF) President Lt Col Shoaib Aftab (R), lively Lahorites will get the opportunity to witness the highly enthralling and entertaining matches in this high-goal season matches. The finals of the tournament will be contested on March 5 here at Jinnah Polo Fields.
President of Pakistan Polo Cup: Diamond Paints, FG Polo score wins
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: Diamond Paints and FG Polo registered triumphs over their respective opponents in the 2nd President of Pakistan Polo Cup 2023 sponsored by Takmeel Square matches played here at the Jinnah Polo Fields on Friday.
Mir Huzaifa Ahmad steered Diamond Paints to a narrow 8-7½ over Master Paints in the first match of the day. Mir Huzaifa, who emerged as hero of the day for Diamond Paints, Mir Huzaifa played splendid polo and converted three tremendous goals, while Nico Roberts and Ahmed Ali Tiwana banged in a brace each and Chulo Corti struck one goal. Manuel Crispo fired in five goals while Agha Musa Ali Khan and Pelagio Balazaldi scored one goal each for Master Paints, which had a half goal handicap advantage.
Diamond Paints started the match with a field goal to take a 1-0 lead which couldn’t last long as Master Paints struck an equalizer to level the score at 1-1. Just before the end of the first chukker, Diamond Paints successfully converted a 40-yard penalty to get back a slight 2-1 lead. The second chukker saw total dominance of Master Paints, who slammed in four back-to-back four goals to earn a healthy 5-2 lead.
Diamond Paints made a strong comeback in the third chukker by hammering a hat-trick of goals to equalize the score at 5-5. Diamond Paints maintained their supremacy in the highly-charged fourth and last chukker by hammering another hat-trick of goals to gain an 8-5 lead. Master Paints though bounced back in the dying moments of the match by thrashing in two back-to-back goals to reduce the deficit to 7-8, yet it was all that they could get from the match as when the final bell was rung, Diamond Paints won the encounter by 8-7½.
Mian Abbas Mukhtar and Raul Laplacette were the two heroes of the day, who fired in four goals each FG Polo’s impressive 9-6 victory over DS Polo in the second match of the day. Both Abbas Mukhtar and Laplacette were in sublime form and displayed outstanding mallet and pony work that steered their side to an emphatic success, which also included a lone goal contribution from Ramiro Zavaleta. For DS Polo, Hissam Ali Hyder hammered three goals while Javier Guerrero scored two goals and Bilal Haye one.
Both the teams were off to a flying start as they converted one goal after another and finished the first chukker at 3-3. FG Polo played better polo in the second chukker by scoring two goals against one by DS Polo to earn a 5-4 lead. The third chukker was identical to the second one, where FG Polo players once again played well and thrashed in two goals against one by DS Polo to stretch their lead to 7-5.
FG Polo maintained their supremacy in the fourth and last chukker by pumping in two goals against one by DS Polo to win the match by 9-6. Two important matches will be played on Sunday (February 26) afternoon here at the Jinnah Polo Fields.
President of Pakistan Polo Cup: FG Polo, Master Paints
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: FG Polo and Master Paints registered victories on the second day of the 2nd President of Pakistan Polo Cup 2023 sponsored by Takmeel Square here at the Jinnah Polo Fields on Wednesday.
Raul Laplacette shone in FG Polo’s 6-4 triumph over Diamond Paints in the first match of the day. Raul Laplacette was in sublime form and amused the spectators with his excellent polo skills and techniques as he fired in five fabulous goals. Mian Abbas Mukhtar also played well and converted one goal in FG Polo’s tally. Chulo Corti banged in a brace while Nico Roberts and Mir Huzaifa Ahmed struck one goal each for Diamond Paints.
FG Polo started the match with two back-to-back goals to earn a 2-0 lead but Diamond Paints bounced back with a conversion of a 40-yard penalty to reduce the margin to 1-2. Diamond Paints dominated the second chukker by thrashing in two back-to-back goals to gain a slight 3-2 lead but FG Polo scored an equalizer to level the score at 3-3. In the third and fourth chukkers, FG Polo team turned the tables by converting three goals against one by Diamond Paints to win the match by 6-4.
Manuel Crispo excelled in Master Paints’ 8½-6 triumph over DS Polo in the second match. In-form Manuel Crispo did the magic with mallet and polo pony and fired in four fantastic goals while Pelagio Balazaldi and Agha Musa Ali Khan thrashed in two goals each for Master Paints. Hissam Ali Hyder though played extremely well as he converted five impressive goals and Bilal Haye struck one, yet their efforts couldn’t yield fruit for DS Polo.
Both the teams started the match well but Master Paints played a bit better polo to take a slight 3-2 lead just before the end of the first chukker. DS Polo dominated the second chukker by slamming in two goals to take a slight 4-3 lead. Master Paints made a strong comeback by firing in four fabulous goals against one by DS Polo to gain a 7-5 lead. Both the sides scored one goal each with Master Paints, having a half goal handicap advantage, won the match by 8½-6.
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