The finals of the Army CDR’s Polo Cup, part of the prestigious Kolkata Polo Season was played on December 21, 2022 at Pat Williamson Polo Ground, the world’s oldest polo ground located atthe Royal Calcutta Turf Club. As the first tournament of three, the finals of the Army CDR’s Polo Cup was played between Army Service Core Team and the conjoined Armoured Artillery Team. The final was played at a rambunctious pace over four chakkars. There were over 500 spectators, of whom almost a hundred were children. The nail- biting match concluded in a draw, with both teams scoring two goals each. To grace this event’s chief guest chair was Lt Gen RP Kalita, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, the General Officer Commanding in Chief of the prestigious Eastern Command. Officiating the match were Lt Col Prithvi Singh Rathore and Capt ARS Waraich. Speaking on the occasion, Lt. Col Prithvi Singh Rathore iterated, “The Army has been hosting Kolkata Polo since 2010. This year they decided to combine teams to make them stronger and so both the teams were on the same footing, and it reflects in the scores. It was a balanced environment and balanced teams who competed well and let the sport speak for itself”.
Lt Gen RP Kalita presenting the match Referee Col Navneet Singh Thiara with a special memento. Referee Col Navneet Singh Thiara said, “Polo is a game for kings and the king of games. Today’s match was very keenly fought between the two teams. Both the teams were playing tooth and nail. The final score also shows that the teams were evenly matched. I am sure the spectators had a very good time.”
Team Army Service Core — Mr. Naveen and Maj Raumik Sharma, receiving the winner’s cheque from, Lt Gen RP Kalita and Maj Gen M Mahendroo Major Raumik Sharma, who played for the Army Service Core commented, “The match was going great. Initially, we were leading by 1-0, then there was an equaliser, and then we were down by a goal but were able to cope up and again there was an equaliser. The game was a neck to neck competition and it ended well.”
Team Armoured Artillery comprising of Lt Col Aashish Samantray and RDS Chauhan, receiving the winner’s cheque from Lt Gen RP Kalita and Col. Maj Gen M Mahendroo. Lt Col Ashish Samantray, who played for the Armoured Artillery Team, said, “Ours is a very old team, with origins in the 1960s. I have been associated with the team for almost 22 years. The game of polo has progressed in these 22 years to astonishing heights. Initially, polo used to be the bastion of the Indian Army. I’m very fortunate to be associated with this game.”
“It is an excellent opportunity to promote the game of Polo, which originated in Manipur a long time back, and now it has gained popularity all over the world. More than 70 countries play this game. As an army, we are trying to promote polo in Calcutta in a big way. The last two years because of Covid we could not hold it but this year we are finally able to conduct the polo competition. I am sure it will encourage more sportspersons to take up this challenging game. I wish all the young polo players all the best,” said LT Gen RP Kalita.