South Africa to face India in the Midlands International Polo Tournament
South Africa will face India in the main match of the first International Polo Tournament at the Lions River Polo Club in KZN Midlands. The match will be preceded by three curtain raises and is scheduled to thrill all fans and spectators on May 6.
“We are delighted to welcome the Indian team and we have been overwhelmed by the level of public interest in this event. Both teams will be at the 15-goal level and this balance in handicaps will ensure a very close and close match.” Said Mark Davies, president of the South African Polo Association.
The Indian team will be captained by the fifth scorer: Colonel Ravi Rathore, who has represented India in five consecutive World Cups. Gaurav Sahgal (4), Salim Azmi (3) and Siddhant Sharma (3) will play alongside Ravi Rathore for the Indian team.
“The Indian Army is made up of an incredible 1.4 million soldiers and the 61st Cavalry Regiment is one of the last fully assembled active fighting corps in the world. Most Indian polo players learn his equestrian skills from this elite Regiment of which Colonel Rathore is Commander. ” Davies said.
The program of the day will begin at 10 in the morning with a raising of the curtain among young people, which will be followed by a match between Ngunis & Ankoles. School teams consisting of current and older boys will play at noon before the big international event.
The game between India and South Africa will begin at 1:30 p.m. and conclude at 3:00 p.m. and will be followed by a live band performance.
“Rathore is the commander,” Davies said.
The exciting and exhilarating international polo will arrive in the central area of Kwa-Zulu Natal on May 6 this year! The Polo Association SA has invited a 15-goal team from India to play against a South African team at the Lions River Polo Club at the inaugural action-packed Midlands International Polo on Sunday 6 May 2018. This date has has been chosen to coincide with the hugely popular college rugby match between Hilton and Michaelhouse that will take place the day before, Saturday, May 5, at Michaelhouse. This International promises to be an exciting and fun-filled day of entertainment. The day will begin with a children’s match between the Elands and Bushbuks at 10:00 am that will show the younger generations who they will be the future stars of South African polo. This will be followed by a curtain opening match between the Nguni and Ankole teams at 11.00 and then, in accordance with the weekend’s rivalry at 12.00, there will be a curtain opening polo match of Hilton vs Michaelhouse. The main match between South Africa and India will take place at 1:30 pm, followed by the awards ceremony. There will be a live band (Angus) playing for a couple of hours from the conclusion of the awards show to end a fantastic day of polo and fun.
Tickets are available in the form of pre-sold picnic sites or general access that can be purchased at the day gates. Details of these can be seen below. You can bring your own food and drink, but there will be public catering services, public cafe and bars available that day (listed below).
The SA Polo Association would like to thank Grindrod Bank, Jonsson Workwear and SMG Jaguar Land Rover Pietermaritzburg for their support of this event.