New Delhi, March 04, 2012: The Final Match of the Sahara Indian Masters Polo 2012 was won by APRC-USPA beating Cavalry-TJP by 11-6 goals. The tournament was played from 29th February, 2012 to 4th March, 2012 at the Jaipur Polo ground in New Delhi. The Guest of honor was Shri Seemanto Roy, Executive Director, Sahara India Pariwar. Also present was Shri Abhijit Sarkar, Head – Corporate Communications, Sahara India Pariwar. The final was played over 6 chukkars and Cavalry-USPA received 1 goal on handicap. Jindal Steel & Power and Sahara Warriors met earlier in the day for the Play-Off for the third position. Sahara Warriors stood at 3rd place as they defeated Jindal Steel & Power by a margin of 1 goal. As a part of its endeavour to promote the game of Polo, Sahara India Pariwar has provided a Prize Money of Rs. 5 lakhs to all the 4 participating teams.
Played since the year 1911, The Indian Masters Polo is one of the two ‘Grand-Slams’ of Indian Polo alongwith the Indian Open, which is played at the highest level of 16 goals. The iconic tournament was played between 4 professional teams of Sahara Warriors, Jindal Steel & Power, Cavalry-USPA & the Cavalry-TJP and also witnessed some of the leading Indian & international professionals including Manupal Godara, Samir Suhag, Angad Kalaan, Adhiraj Singh, Lucas Labat, George Meyrick, Niall Donnelly and Miguel Saravia.
Besides supporting the Indian Masters Polo, Sahara India Pariwar & Aamby Valley City, in association with Jaipur Riding & Polo Club had earlier hosted ‘The Sahara Jaipur Polo Season’, in October 2005. This was the first time that Sahara India Pariwar had extended its support to Polo with an intention to leverage the sport among the masses. Then, in the year 2007, Sahara organised the ‘Sahara City Homes Jodhpur Polo Season’ which was formally inaugurated by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh, at Maharaja Gaj Singh II Polo Ground, Jodhpur. The event witnessed 4 tournaments namely Jodhpur Polo Cup, Umaid Bhawan Palace Cup, Rajputana & Central India Cup, H. H. Maharaja of Jodhpur Cup.
Championship Finals – Match Brief:
An extremely fast-paced game, both teams were in attack in the first chukkar. Each side scored 2 goals a piece by the end of first chukkar. APRC-USPA team members really took off from the second chukkar onwards and inspite of a stiff fight, never really gave a chance to their opponents. With a goal each from three of the APRC players, Angad Kalaan, Ravi Rathore and Akhil Sirohi in that order, the Cavalry-TJP teams mates really struggled with the ball but failed to put any goals on the board. Col Tarun Sirohi was the only scorer in the second chukkar on behalf of Cavalry-TJP. A brilliant effort by Dhruvpal Godara scoring 5 goals for his team helped APRC-USPA seal their victory. He was ably helped by Angad Kalaan pitching in 3 goals for his side. APRC-USPA beat Cavalry-TJP by 11 - 6 goals.
Maj. Ravi Rathore was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the tournament and Dhrupal Godara’s mare ridden by him, ‘Chirmi’ won the Best Polo Pony.
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