The Ahmedabad Polo Tournament, Gujarat’s largest polo event, wrapped up after three days of fierce competition, horse sports, and cultural displays. Organized by the Gujarat Polo Association and backed by the Adani Group, the event’s final day combined sports with entertainment, featuring dance performances and an engaging Trone Act to create a festive ambiance. Equestrian demonstrations showcased the precision and expertise required in horse sports.
A highlight of the last day was the intense match between Apollo Aviators and Lion’s Den Legends, the two women’s teams in the tournament. In a closely contested battle, Lion’s Den Legends secured a 4–3 victory over Apollo Aviators, with Sanjula Mann scoring all three goals for the latter and Dr. Shivangi Jai Singh leading the former with three goals, while Lavanya Shekhawat added another goal.
The men’s final between Mayfair Polo and Pune Warriors took the spotlight, culminating in a thrilling finish. Despite both teams being tied at 7–7 at the end of regulation time, Pune Warriors clinched the win and the title by scoring the Golden Goal, ending the game 8-7. Lance Watson emerged as the star player for Pune Warriors with seven goals, supported by one from Major Anant Rajpurohit. For Mayfair Polo, Dino Dhankhar and Daniel Otamendi each contributed three goals, with Lt. Col Vishal Chauhan adding one. The tournament concluded with a ceremony honoring the players and distributing prizes.
Reflecting on the event, Arpan Gupta, Promoter of Gujarat Polo Club, expressed satisfaction with the overwhelming response to the Ahmedabad Polo Tournament. He emphasized the tournament’s success in showcasing the sport’s heritage while making it inclusive and engaging for a broader audience. Sanjay Paladia, also a Promoter of Gujarat Polo Club, highlighted the tournament’s role in demonstrating Ahmedabad’s potential to host polo events at a national level, emphasizing the strong future for polo in Gujarat. The Ahmedabad Polo Tournament has now established itself as a platform that harmonizes sports, culture, and heritage, paving the way for the resurgence of polo in the state.
