The Jaipur Polo Season commenced with high-octane action this Saturday, featuring both an exhibition match and intense semi-final clashes that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
Exhibition Match: Team RPC Edges Past Team Malarpan
In the season's inaugural exhibition event -- the Raghu Sinha Mala Mathur Memorial Cup -- Team RPC secured a hard-fought 7-6 victory over Team Malarpan at the Rajasthan Polo Club Ground. The match showcased exceptional skill and determination from both sides.
Team RPC's Goal Scorers
The winning side's offense was led by three key players:
- Lokendra Singh Dhirawat scored two crucial goals
- Vishal Singh contributed two important goals
- Bhawani Singh Kalvi added another two goals to the tally
Mayurdhwaj Singh Talabgaon completed the scoring with one goal, ensuring Team RPC's narrow triumph.
Team Malarpan's Valiant Effort
Despite the loss, Team Malarpan delivered an impressive performance, largely thanks to Padmanabh Singh's outstanding display where he netted five goals. Ranshay Purohit chipped in with one goal to complete their scoring. The team also featured players Mirza Mohmmed Baig and Pratap Singh Kanota, who contributed to the competitive spirit of the match.
The event was graced by Rajeev Kumar Sharma, Director General of Police for Rajasthan, who served as chief guest and distributed prizes to the participants.
Rajmata Gayatri Devi Memorial Cup Semi-Finals
Earlier in the day, the PPC Ground hosted two thrilling semi-final matches that determined the finalists for the prestigious Rajmata Gayatri Devi Memorial Cup.
First Semi-Final: Team Jindal Bedla vs Team V Polo
In a closely contested battle, Team Jindal Bedla emerged victorious against Team V Polo with a final score of 7-6. The winning side's attack was spearheaded by:
- Siddhant Sharma who scored three goals
- Himmat Singh Bedla contributing two goals
- Phill Seller adding another two goals
Venkatesh Jindal also played a significant role in the team's success. For Team V Polo, Santiago Marambio delivered an impressive individual performance by scoring six goals, supported by teammates Vivaan Mehta, Divyamaan Dujod, and Salim Azmi.
Second Semi-Final: Team Rambagh vs Team Optiemus Achievers
The second semi-final witnessed another nail-biting encounter where Team Optiemus Achievers defeated Team Rambagh with a narrow 6-5.5 margin. Team Rambagh entered the match with a half-goal handicap advantage, making the Achievers' victory even more remarkable.
For the winning Optiemus Achievers:
- Shamsheer Ali scored three goals
- Daniel Otamendi matched with three goals of his own
Savir Mehraj Godara and Aryamaan Singh also played crucial roles in the team's success. Team Rambagh's effort was led by Alejo Aramburu with three goals and Dhruvpal Godara with two goals, supported by Yogendra Singh Shekhawat and Siddhant Singh.
Upcoming Final Match
The stage is now set for the championship clash of the Rajmata Gayatri Devi Memorial Cup. Team Optiemus Achievers will face Team Jindal Bedla in the final, scheduled for January 25 at the Rajasthan Polo Club. The match is set to begin at 3:30 PM, promising another exciting display of elite polo competition.
The Jaipur Polo Season has begun with tremendous excitement and competitive spirit, showcasing the growing popularity and skill level of polo in Rajasthan. With the exhibition match setting the tone and semi-finals delivering thrilling contests, polo enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the upcoming final showdown.
