MUMBAI: After almost a century, polo will make a historic return to Bombay Gymkhana coming Sunday evening and will be played under lights.
“As a precursor to the Bombay Gymkhana 150th year celebrations in 2025 we have plans to organise various sporting events, some new additions (like the Bombay Gymkhana 10K run which was held in March 2024 or reviving some sports events linked to our rich sporting heritage. It is in this connection that we are launching The Bombay Polo Challenge Cup founded in 1882 and which was last held in 1885 and was won by the Bombay Gymkhana polo team,” Sanjiv Saran Mehra, president of Bombay Gym told TOI on Wednesday adding that polo matches were continued to be held at their club till 1920s.
The Amateur Riders’ Club (ARC), home of polo in the city, will help Bombay Gym in conducting the one-off polo game that evening which will be played between ARC and Bombay Gym teams. Bombay Gym will set up a facility to house about 18 horses coming from ARC, Jaipur and Nashik. The ground for the upcoming event has been prepared with the help of ARC.
“The revival of the Bombay Gym trophy is a historic moment for the sport of polo that has such an increasing following in Mumbai. We at the ARC are happy to partner with them for this momentous evening,” said ARC president Milan Luthria.
The occasion will see a distinguished gathering of dignitaries including Lt Gen Arun Kumar Sahni, PVSM, UYSM, SM, VSM (Retd) Vice President, Indian Polo Association, Suresh Tapuriah, managing trustee, Indian Polo Foundation and former president of ARC, Nasir Jamal, vice president, ARC.
