JAIPUR, June 14: The recent confidence-building measures taken by Prime Ministers of Pakistan and India have rekindled hopes of a revival of sporting ties on a broader level.

In all probability, Indian polo team will be the first to break the ice in last week of November when they will gallop down greens of Lahore in the World Cup Pool D qualifying tournament from Nov 29 to Dec 7.

Apart from India and Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore are the other teams who will be trying to qualify for the final round.

Indian, the defending pool champions, will be looking to repeat the feat and enter the elite club of six pool champions who will vie for the world title in Paris, next year in March.

Indian Polo Association (IPA), after receiving a go ahead from the government, has announced list of nine probables for this 14-goal tournament. In last World Cup qualifier, when India had met Pakistan in Jaipur, the home team had romped home by eight goals. “We won’t have a say in horse selection and will have to ride horses arranged by the organisers. Riding alien horses in front of a demanding crowd will be a real test of our horsemanship and mental strength,” said Brig. Bhawani Singh, vice president, IPA. —PPI