Pranav Birje| Senior Correspondent

Mumbai, 27th February: In a captivating demonstration of skill and teamwork, the esteemed Turf Games Arena Polo Cup culminated in an exhilarating finale, with both the teams playing out a draw and sharing the prestigious title. The gripping showdown unfolded at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai, held in association with the Amateur Riders Club (ARC).

The Turf Games Arena Polo Cup celebrates sportsmanship, camaraderie, and competitive spirit. As the 2024 tournament concludes, organisers and participants anticipate Polo’s continued success in India. Dalip Tahil, Mandira Bedi, Suchitra Krishnamoorthi, Namrata Purohit and Brinda Parekh were seen attending the exciting sporting event in the city.

 

The 2 teams playing today

1. Panthers (White)  
2. Zulu (Red) 

Each team is assigned a handicapped ranking based on their performances and skills. The rankings span from -2 to +10, reflecting a spectrum of abilities and expertise within the sport. 

Team combinations –

 

In the team Panthers the polo players are, Nikolai Kundanmal (-2), Qais Dalal (0), Shyam Mehta (0).

In the team Zulu the polo players are, Ziyad Madon (-2), Dinyar Madon (0), Mitesh Mehta (0).


The polo match commenced under the watchful eye of esteemed umpire Mr. Sunny Patel, a seasoned polo player boasting a +2 handicap score. Providing expert commentary was Mr. Riyhad Kundanmal, founder of Turf Games Global Sports with a wealth of experience in the sport. 

In the first chukker, both teams played explosively and the fist goal was scored just thirty six seconds into the game. Shyam Mehta in red scored 5 goals with the help from his teammates. At the end of the first chukker the score was Panthers (5) and Zulu (4).

In the second chukker, Both teams fought hard for the possession, 1 goal was scored by each team. At the end of the chukker the score was Panthers (6) and Zulu (5).


In the third chukker, Mitesh Mehta in red sprinted towards the goal mouth as the round commenced and scored the goal, following that he again scored a goal with a beautiful long shot from the middle of the arena. At the end of the chukker the score was Panthers (8) and Zulu (9). 


Entering the decisive fourth chukker, Nikolai Kundanmal in white fired the opening salvo with a crucial goal, setting the stage for a dramatic finale. With only 30 seconds remaining on the clock both teams fought hard for the goal but the match ended with an even score of 11. 

After a tied scoreline both teams shared the Turf Games Arena Polo Cup 2024 after a closely fought final. 

Riyhad Kundanmal, Founder, Turf Games Global Sports, says â€ś As we conclude another remarkable tournament, we eagerly anticipate the journey ahead. In light of the current issues threatening the very existence of the sport and the club at the Mahalaxmi race course, we hope for the sustained growth and triumph of Polo in India.”