March 27, 2017 TnH Global

Argentina, the world’s best polo played in Mumbai

6th YES Bank and the Consulate General of Argentine International Polo Cup at the Royal Western Indian Turf Club, Mahalaxmi racecourse featured a thrilling match between the Argentinean and Indian (Amateur Rider´s Club) team both of 14 goals that clinched in a tie for the first time.

In the last 5 years the Polo match for both cups has grown to become a go-to event for many of the city´s avid sport aficionados, travel companies, socialites, industrialists, celebrities, expats and foreign diplomats. The event was organized by YES bank together with the Consulate General and Promotion Centre of Argentina, and the Amateur Riders Club. Hosted by Rana Kapoor, Managing Director & CEO, YES BANK, Alejandro Zothner Meyer, Acting Consul General and Suresh Tapuriah, President, Amateur Riders Club; Rajashree Birla, Cyrus Poonawalla; Radha Kapoor Khanna and Aditya Khanna were the Guests of Honour and also presented the trophies to the winners at the prize distribution ceremony.

The event saw a gathering of about 1000 guests that flocked to the game in their polo-best ensembles, fascinators and hand-fans to beat the heat. The guests included the crème de la crème including Ajay Piramal, Chairman, Piramal Enterprises; The Maharaja of Jaipur, Padmanabh Singh; celebrity fitness expert Namrata Purohit, actresses Kim Sharma and Tanishaa Mukerjee, Tara Sharma among others. Also in attendance were the Chief of Protocol, Bajirao Jadav and Deputy Secretary to government (Protocol) N. S Bhoge.

The lineup for the Argentine Polo Team featured Eduardo Miles, Santiago Oubiña, Marcelo Araya and Salim Azmi, who replaced an Argentinean player who had an unfortunate accident just days before the match where he fractured his hand. The ARC India team consisted of H.H. Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur, Vishal Nihalani, Abhimanyu Pathak and Samir Suhag. Both teams battled for the cup in good spirits and an enthusiasm that matched that of the crowds cheering from the stands.

Just before the prize distribution ceremony, everyone was treated to an elegant tango performance by a professional tango couple Pino Trozzola and Caterina Inglese, organized by BtangoConscious, an association that promotes the dance of tango in India. The east arena of the racecourse was dedicated to food and beverage that was set with white and blue tents, chairs and tables that lent the event its Argentine flavour. The highlight of the evening was the exquisite range of white and red Argentine wines that included Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec, Trapiche Sauvignon Blanc, Susana Balbo Crios Malbec and the Crios Torrontes.

Guests sipped on this peculiar grape variety while Pino and Caterina sizzled the dance floor with yet another tango performance, accompanied by some feet-tapping music. According to The World Polo Tour (WPT), the best, current top 5 polo players hail from Argentina. In addition to creating the world’s greatest polo players, Argentina is also recognized for breeding polo horses for export abroad. Argentina truly is the greatest reserve for polo talent the world-over; no other country has had so much success and held so many records! The Consulate General and Promotion Centre of Argentina has been playing a major role in organizing the event year after year and in bringing down to Mumbai Argentine players that are all world-class. Thanks to the Argentine Tourism Ministry the guests enjoyed a visual display of everything Argentinean, in addition to the tango performances and Argentine wines that are ubiquitous of Argentina. In addition to all the sponsors we also acknowledge all the support and help that Knack Marketing has provided in Argentine tourism promotion over the years.

Acting Consul General Alejandro Zothner Meyer, Consulate General and promotion Centre of the Argentine Republic in Mumbai said, “We hope to continue bringing polo players from Argentina that are the best in the world with an aim to share our sporting culture with India and of course to continue this six-year long tradition that we have started.”