[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Calcutta Polo Club, the oldest Polo Club in the world, celebrated its 150th Anniversary. It all started in 1858 when two British soldiers Captain Robert Stewart and Major Gen Joe Shearer witnessed a game named Sagol Kangjei being played by the locals of Manipur. Both officers were so captivated that they quickly introduced the game to their peers, and then established the Calcutta Polo Club in the year 1861-62. Thereafter the Club created a new organized format for the game and set The First Rule Book for Modern Polo. The Calcutta Polo Club, under the aegis of the Indian Polo Association invited international teams from across the world to compete in the “BFL Corp Ezra World Masters Cup 2011” at the Pat Williamson ground which is located in the centre of the racecourse that has a majestic view of the Victoria Memorial. The BFL Corp EZRA World Masters Cup, 2011, was played under the Christmas skies between the Champions of the BFL Corp EZRA World Cup 2011, the Calcutta Polo Club and the Rest of the World. The match saw the Calcutta Polo Club emerge victorious with the score card reading 5.5 goals to 3 goals in favour of the home team. A gigantic effort by Gofferdo C Rendina (scoring all 3 goals for the Rest of the World) was not enough to stop the Calcutta Polo Club romping home. Major Vishal Chauhan scored a brace for Calcutta Polo Club in the 3rd and 4th Chukkar while Carlos Gracida, Maj. Ravi Rathore and Col. Tarun Sirohi scored one each in 3rd, 2nd and 1st Chukkars respectively. The Winners of the BFL Corp EZRA World Masters Cup 2011 were crowned by the Hon. Minister for Railways, Mr. Dinesh Trivedi and the Champions were handed the Cup by the Chief Guest for the afternoon, General V.K. Singh – Chief of the Army Staff. The valuable player of the tournament was Col. Tarun Sirohi and the pony of the day was Velocity.
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H. R. H. Maharaj Gaj Singh
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H. R. H. Maharani of Singrauli, her daughter & H. R. H. Arvind Singh Mewar
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Mr. Eduardo Huergo, President, Federation of International Polo & Mrs Archana Bangur
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Mr. N J A Colquhoun Denvers & Mr Keshav Bangur
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Mr Keshav Bangur with Mr Suvendru Mullick, Mr George Meyrick & his girlfriend
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Mr Carlos Gracida & his girl friend Monica Sierra
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Mr Carlos Gracida with the Royal Calcutta Turf Club in the background
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Ms Ann Wright, Mr Vikram Singh Rathod, Mr Eduardo Huergo & Mr Keshav Bangur
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The winner, Calcutta Polo Club, receiving the trophy
The gala event and tournament was graced by members of the royal families of India, diplomats, industrialists and polo patrons across the globe including Mr. Eduardo Huergo, President, Federation of International Polo, Mr. Nick Denvers, Chairman, Hurlingham Polo Association (England), General V.K. Singh, COAS & President, Indian Polo Association & Lt. Gen. Bikram Singh, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Eastern Command.
Polo in Kolkata is associated with glamour, luxury and wealth, and has enjoyed the patronage of royalty like the Maharaja of Burdwan, Maharaja of Cooch Behar, Nizam of Hyderabad, The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales and the Sultan of Brunei.
FEBRUARY-MARCH 2012
