The annual Sanawar Polo match got a revival after a gap of four years as RIANJAL SANAWAR POLO CUP, it was held with high octane energy and enthusiasm. Brilliantly organized by The Old Sanawarian Society(OSS) under the able leadership of its President Major General Kulpreet Singh ( Retd). Sponsored by Rianjal Moonshine Pvt Ltd, it one of the most coveted events in this calendar year.
It was an incredible show of strength with a turnout of approximately 400 people including Old Sanawarians and prominent people from Delhi, Gurgaon and Chandigarh.
The match was hosted by DS Babbar & Anjali Babbar, Directors of Rianjal Moonshine Pvt. Ltd.
D S Babbar, President of The Indian-Baltic Chamber Of Commerce, Lithuania is a great visionary with vast experience in the hospitality industry. His companies are spread across South East Asia, Dubai & The NCR. Adding to his existing vast portfolio, DS Babbar has recently diversified into the oil & gas sector, with shares in Atlantica & ZY Holding Oil & Gas company in Texas USA.
Shaleen Virk, an old Sanawarian from the Batch of 1993, a professional in the hospitality industry, is Director Atlantica, ZY Holding, & Two Star Global Group based in Texas. She flew in from Dallas (USA ) to be the part of this event.
It was their love for the sport of Polo which has brought together Rianjal Moonshine Pvt. Ltd. and the Old Sanawarian Society to make this event possible. We look forward for a long standing RMPL and OSS in the years to come. At the outset, two minutes of silence was observed by the entire gathering to mark the passing away of veteran OS polo players Brigadier V P Singh, Col Raj Kalaan (VBD’ 55) and Major Harjinder Singh.
The packed amphitheatre waited with bated breath to watch two teams Barnes versus Peace Stead as the players steadied themselves to commence a highly dramatic match,on a bright sunny afternoon at the Jaipur Polo Ground, New Delhi.Adding to the excitement was the fact that the two teams had a total of eight polo players out of which five were Old Sanawarians, all former world cup players.
Team Barnes consisted of Col Harsh Preenja (NBD ’90) Buchi Prakash, Adhiraj Singh and Col Navjit Singh Sandhu ( NBD ’91)
Team Peace Stead comprised of Col Vikramjit Singh Kahlon (HBD ’93) Sunjay J Kapur, Jai Inder Singh Shergill (SBD’85) , Uday Kalaan (VBD’91)
The game started with a throw in by Riana Babbar, daughter of D.S Babbar and Anjali Babbar.
Engaging commentary by Pradeep Rao and Col Shakti Singh Rathore ( Retd) kept the viewers attention focused on the high energy action unfolding on the field.
The match started with Peace Stead gaining an early lead with a beautiful goal shot by Sunjay J Kapur in the first chukker itself. Barnes had one or two opportunities but couldn’t quickly convert. In the 2nd chukker, the audience saw a splendid back hand shot by Jai Inder Singh Shergill which was picked up again by Sunjay J Kapur and he lost no time in scoring the 2nd goal, thereby giving Peace Stead a 2- 0 lead by the middle of the 2nd chukker.
That’s when Col Navjit Singh Sandhu, a plus 3 handicap player displayed presence of mind by converting one goal from a ball which was passed to him from his team mates and subsequently again scoring the 2nd goal at the end of chucker number two,leveling the score at two all.
Superbly umpired by Lt Col Arjun Patil and Capt Rohan Saharan the match moved steadily on wards.
The third chucker was evenly contested between Barnes and Peace Stead with Col Navjit Singh Sandhu making a clean break from the throw in and carrying the ball almost till the 30 yard mark from where Col Harsh Preenja following the line, picked up the ball and stealthily scored the third goal. Thereby giving the Barnes team a 3- 2 lead in the third chucker itself. The final score line at the end of the match was 4-2 in favor of Barnes.
It was a fabulous display of sportsmanship and the game ended with thundering applause from the audience which rose multiple decibels higher once the prizes were distributed.
There was pin drop silence after the match as the viewers saw a fantastic Skill Riding display by the 61st Cavalry with bated breath.The Army band in attendance put up a spectacular show and the event ended with magnificent splendor. A sincere note of gratitude to the armed forces who helped in many ways. Commandant 61st cavalry and the officer commanding bravos 61 cavalry for their support in the smooth conduct of the event providing horses for some of the army polo players as well as making available their skill riding team.
Veteran OS polo players, Col Billy Sodhi, Col Pickles Sodhi and Col Rupi Brar who were present on the occasion were honored by the OSS President.Hats off to Dhruv Sodhi (OS’94) Delhi Chapter and Musty Sekhon (OS’91) Gurgaon Chapter for managing the event so meticulously.
In keeping with true polo tradition, where festivity culminates with food, a lavish spread of dishes and drinks were served to the guests, which saw many old bonds and friendships being re-kindled with warmth and joy.
The OS fraternity looks forward to the next polo match and judging by this year’s enthusiasm its bound to be an even greater success!
