December 24, 2001	Monday	Shawwal 8, 1422

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LAHORE, Dec 23: Umpire Hasan Jafar escaped with minor bruises after falling unconscious from his mount during Marry Max’s 7-6 victory over Musa Industries in the December Cup polo final at the Aibak ground Sunday.

Hasan, son of a well-known polo player Brig Jafar Khan, was rushed to a nearby hospital on shoulders after his mount was hit from behind by a player’s speedy pony.

Preliminary X-rays revealed nothing alarming and specialists said Hasan became unconscious due to shock. The umpire, later in the evening, regained consciousness and was making steady recovery.

In a similar accident at the same ground a couple of years ago, Albaracin, a six-goal handicap player of Ireland, who was umpiring in a match, became paraplegic and was restricted to a wheelchair till the time of his death after falling from his mount which was hit by a player’s pony.

Unfortunately, the Lahore Polo Club and the organizers of the game have failed to learn from the lesson.

Even on Sunday, neither was there an ambulance nor a doctor at the venue to provide immediate attention to Jafar. Had the LPC staff not shown urgency and professionalism, situation could have been worst for Jafar.

Lack of medical facility at the LPC is an awful lapse because in a speedy and risky game like polo, an accident is bound to happen anytime.

The incident took the gloss off an interesting title match which provided all sorts of thrills and excitment.

Malik Asif Yar Tiwana scored the decisive goal after a long run in extended period of fifth chukker.

Although Asif did most of the scoring (in all, scored four goals) for the winners yet during the fifth chukker he gave anxious moments to his teammates and lovers of polo by hitting out on a 60 yards penalty-hit and muffing another clear chance.

However, he finally put in the all-important goal with a brilliant run-down which gave Marry Max the December Cup. Both the teams were locked 6-6 during the stipulated four chukkers.

The final was to be held on Dec 15 but had to be postponed due to rain. Earlier in the subsidiary final, Arsalan Najib, Captain Shaukat Malik and Faaiz Rahim Khan scored three goals, each to give Power Soft a win over Guard Rice 11- 8 1/2.

At conclusion of the tournament, Punjab Information Secretary Kamran Lashari gave away the December Cup to the youngest player of the Marry Max quartet, Shahid Iqbal.

During first chukker of the final, Asif scored two back-to-back goals.

He first scored a field goal on a pass from Captain Omer Minhas and later scored with a long hit. Shahid Iqbal scored his only goal with a backhander which gave Marry Max a 3-0 lead before this chukker ended.

Musa Industries completely dominated the second chukker by scoring four goals which earned them a 4-3  lead. Samiullah alone scored three goals. Samiullah scored two back-to-back goals. He converted a 30 yards penalty-hit and then scored on a spot penalty near the goalpost.

Syed Hasan Raza Gillani scored his only field goal for Musa Industries on a pass from Bilal Haye. Samiullah  scored his third and Musa Industries fourth goal on another 30 yards penalty-hit.

Khurshid scored his only field goal at start of the third chukker to further increase Musa Industries’ lead. Taimur Mawaz Khan (Tony) crowned a solo effort to score his first and Marry Max’s  fourth goal. Asif scored his third and Marry  Max’s  fifth goal to level the score 5-5 before this chukker concluded.

The fourth chukker was also fought fiercely in which both teams struck once, each. Taimur Mawaz scored his second and Marry Max’s sixth goal. But Sami combined with Bilal Haye brilliantly to score his fourth and Musa Industries’ sixth goal which tied the final 6-6. Thereafter, the goals were widened and match extended to fifth chukker in which Asif scored the decider.

Teams:

Marry Max: Shahid Iqbal (-2), Captain Omer Minhas (3), Taimur Mawaz Khan “Tony” (2), Malik Asif Yar Tiwana (3).

Musa Industries: Syed Hasan Raza Gillani (-1), Bilal Haye (0), Samiullah (3), Khurshid (4).

Umpires:  Captain Azhar Ali and Hasan Jafar (after injury  due to a fall, Captain Shehryar substituted him).

Guard Rice enjoyed one-and-a-half goals  advantage on the handicap and put in seven goals during play. But PowerSoft showed better scoring power and won the third position by winning the match 11-8 1/2.

The Power Soft quartet was in fine form as all the players scored. Arsalan Najib, Captain Shaukat Malik and Faaiz Rahim Khan scored three goals, each while Husain Iftikhar struck twice.

For the losing Guard Rice, Malik Atif Yar Tiwana scored three goals and Umer Sadik and Captain Shehryar Hafeiz struck twice.

Teams:

Power Soft: Faaiz Rahim Khan (1), Arsalan Najib (2), Captain Shaukat Malik (1), Husain Iftikhar (1).

Guard Rice: Taimur Malik (-2), Umer Sadik (1), Malik Atif  Yar Tiwana (3), Captain Shehryar Hafeiz (1).

Umpires: Ahmad Nawaz Tiwana and & Hasan Jafar.