At the Sawai Man Singh Gold Vase 8-goal Polo 2016 held recently at the Jaipur Polo Grounds, the Jaipur team emerged as the winners beating Garcha
SS Empress Polo, an organisation committed to promote the “King of sports — Horse polo”, hosted the adrenaline filled final match of Sawai Man Singh Gold Vase 8-goal Polo 2016 at Jaipur Polo Grounds in the capital recently. Organised by Soniya Singh of Empress Polo Inc, the tournament was graced by Princess Diya Kumari of Jaipur as the chief guest. Jaipur emerged winners of the SS Empress Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Gold Vase (8 Goal) polo tournament beating Garcha Hotels by four goals to three in the thrilling finals. HH Maharaja Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur was adjudged the Most Valuable Player. The prestigious sport saw in attendance distinguished guests like Naveen Jindal, Sunjay Kapur, writer Mark Tully with wife Gillian Wright, Shivani Wazir Pasrich, politician Shazia Ilmi, Somnath Bharti (AAP), former Miss India Shefali Talwar, among others.
The organiser, Singh is pumping freshness to the royal sport, by organising eclectic events like a fund raising art exhibition by artist Rohit J Kapoor and a fashion preview by Pranay Baidya and jewellery by Pooja Nigam followed by gala performances by Rajasthani folk artists. Singh, herself an avid horse-rider, is building a larger audience and promoting the exciting sport. Also, for the first time in history of polo, the organiser gave cash reward of one lakh to each players of the winning team. Empress Polo is supported and accredited by Indian Polo Association, an autonomous body registered in New Delhi under supervision of The Indian Army.
The finals of the SS Empress SMS Gold Vase (8 Goals) played between Jaipur and Garcha Hotels was very exciting. Kuldeep Singh Rathore opened the account for Garcha Hotels while Daniel Otamendi scored opening goal for Jaipur in the first chukker. In the second chukker, Padmanabh Singh scored one goal for Jaipur while Garcha Hotels could not score any goal. In the third chukker, Manuel llorente scored two quick goals for Garcha Hotels whereas Jaipur was unable to score any goal in this chukker. The score was three goals to two in favour of Garcha Hotels. The last chukker was played on very fast pace both teams came with their best pony power Abhimanyu Pathak converted a 60 yard patently to equalize the score and Daniel Otamendi scored one more goal for Jaipur to win the match. Scorers for Jaipur were – Abhimanyu Pathak (1), Padmanabh Singh (1), Daniel Otamendi (2). Scorers for Garcha Hotels were – Manuel llorente (2), Kuldeep Singh Rathore (1).
The Sawai Man Singh Gold Vase was presented by Brigadier Sawai Bhawani Singh MVC of Jaipur in February 1971, in memory of his father late His Highness Maharaja Sawai Man Singh of Jaipur. It is an 8 Goal trophy, was first played for in Delhi in February 1971, and was won by ASC Polo Team. It has since been played every year in Delhi during Spring Polo in January/February.