A Night of Sporting Triumph

It was a night of sporting triumph, royal patronage, and honouring the trainers, groomers, horses at the second edition of LA POLO THE INDIAN POLO AWARDS (TIPA), in association with Rajasthan Tourism, along with Code Silver and Wedding Asia, which was held on November 6 at the Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi. The biggest names in polo, along with diplomats, and royals like H.H. Maharaja Gaj Singh of Jodhpur-Marwar, and H.H. Rajmata  Shubhangini Raje Gaekwad of Baroda, gathered for a glittering event hosted by Bollywood actor Pavleen Gujral and polo commentator Sharad Saxena.

 

The award ceremony began with H. H. Maharaja Gaj Singh of Jodhpur-Marwar presenting THE LADY PLAYER award to Ms Monica Saxena. Born in India (and quickly adopted by Indian royals and the British Army, and spread across the world), polo still continues as it did centuries ago, in Manipur, Leh, and Dras. THE BARODA THE TRADITIONAL POLO PLAYER award felicitates the custodians of our heritage, the traditional polo players, and was presented by H. H. Rajmata Shubhangini Raje Gaekwad of Baroda and Princess Alaukika Raje Gaekwad of Baroda to Mr Abdul Manaan from Ladakh.

 

A healthy, high-performance horse is imperative for a rider on the field, and the following awards honoured those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. ALWAR THE POLO TRAINER award was presented to Ld Nadeem Ali (Army) and Risaldar Bhawani Singh (Civil) by Lt Gen Balbir Singh Sandhu( Retd), Vice-President of the Indian Polo Association.

 

This trophy is for those who work behind the scenes to tame rowdy ponies, and exercise them, rain or shine. THE POLO GROOM award was presented to Mr Hanuman Vinayaka by Ms Parul Rai, co-patron, Achievers Polo Team and Ms Shikha Durlabhji, Director, Code Silver.

 

And the hero on the field, the GWALIOR BEST POLO PONY award was presented to the majestic mare Rapper (owned by Ms Parul Rai and Mr Vikram Rathore, and trained by Chris Mackenzie), symbolic of the unbreakable bond between horse and rider, by Mr Maninder S Sethi, editor-in-chief of LA POLO.

 

The Jaipur Polo Ground won the award for BHOPAL PATAUDI THE BEST POLO GROUND.

 

Celebrating the fervour and spirit of new players in the field, THE EMERGING POLO PLAYER award went to young players Mr Dino Dhankar and Mr Vishwarupe Bajaj. Giving away the award was Mr Rajesh Sahgal, Chairman, Tournament Committee, Indian Polo Association. Mr Hurr Ali (son of 4-goaler Syed Shamshed Ali) received the award for THE YOUNG POLO PLAYER, presented by Lt. Gen. MKS Yadav (Sena Medal).

 

Polo players from overseas are integral to the growth of polo in India. International polo players bring their own style of horsemanship and play, adding flair to their teams. Mr Daniel Otamendi from Argentina won the award for PATIALA THE INTERNATIONAL POLO PLAYER, presented by Princess Mriganka Singh of Jammu & Kashmir.

Talent wins matches, and teamwork makes a quartet of champions. Low-goal polo teams are a balance of novice and experienced players. The BEST POLO TEAM (LOW-GOAL) award, presented by Thakur Bhim Singh and Ms Madhuvanti Singh went to the Army Service Corps (ASC). In high-goal polo teams the best polo players, international and Indian compete on the best polo ponies in adrenaline-packed chukkers. The BEST POLO TEAM (HIGH-GOAL) award, presented by H.H. Maharaja Gaj Singh of Jodhpur-Marwar and Mr Maninder S Sethi, was won by Sahara Warriors, co-owned by Ms Parul Rai and Mr Vikram Rathore.

 

As a sport, polo requires commitment and investment, and is part of a large eco-system that needs nurturing. The Sahara Warriors also won the JAIPUR THE POLO PATRON award, that recognizes sportsmanship and leadership qualities on the field and off it, and salutes the mastery of the polo player.

 

The army has always played a crucial role in polo – with polo facilities set up at various military academies across India. Lt Col Vishal Chauhan won the JAMMU & KASHMIR THE ARMY POLO PLAYER award, presented by Princess Mriganka Singh.

 

To celebrate his contribution to the success and glory of polo as one of its most steadfast pillars, Mr Naveen Jindal was recognized with the title of CONTRIBUTION TO POLO AWARD, by H.E. Ambassador of Argentina Mr Hugo Gobbi and H.E. Ambassador of Sweden Mr Jan Thesleff.

 

 

Unwavering perseverance and grit, makes for a future champion. THE PROMISING POLO PLAYER award went to Mr Kuldeep Singh Rathore, presented by H.E. Ambassador of Bulgaria Ms Eleonora Dimitrova.

 

A scion of polo’s royal Patiala traditions, H.H. Maharaja Capt. Amarinder Singh of Patiala was honoured with the LA POLO LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, presented by Mr Maninder S Sethi.

 

Cherishing this Indian state’s eternal love for polo, THE RAJASTHAN TOURISM THE MOST VALUABLE POLO player award was bestowed upon H.H. Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur, presented by Mr Dhiraj Srivastava, Commissioner Rajasthan Foundation  and Dr Punita Singh, Joint Director, Department of Tourism, Rajasthan.