LAHORE, Sept 23: Preparations were under way at the Lahore Polo Club to stage the six-nation World Cup qualifying round Zone ‘D’ from Dec 6 to 14.

LPC secretary, Irfan Ali Hyder, told reporters that one inch sand had been laid at two main grounds of the club to make them soft to play on.

Water supply system had also been improved with the assistance of Punjab government, he said.

Pakistan, as hosts and India as former hosts of the last round held in Jaipur, have already qualified from the subcontinent.

He pointed out that teams from Australia-New Zealand, Malaysia-Singapore, South Africa-Zimbabwe would also qualify for this round after playing matches against each other.

Iran had also qualified bringing the total number of teams to six, he said.

Irfan said that since Pakistan Polo Association (PPA) was organising the event and LPC was the venue, therefore, exact information about the arrival of the Indian team was not available yet.

However, India has confirmed its team participation.

He said that security of the foreign teams during their stay in Pakistan would be the responsibility of Army.

Meanwhile, in a related development, LPC has introduced Arena Polo under its new look plan and the first exhibition match in this connection will be held under floodlights on Saturday.

The newly elected president LPC Abdul Hayee Mehta, told a press conference on Tuesday that floodlights had been installed at the Riding School where the Arena Polo matches would be held.

He said that with the introduction of Arena Polo the Polo would continue throughout the year.

Announcing the 2003-2004 polo calender, Hayee said that it begins from Oct 27.

In all, 25 high goal and low goal tournaments will be played during the season.

The schedule will be completed by mid April 2004.

The most prestigious tournament National Open Polo Championship will be held from Feb 23 to March 7, 2004. Low goals tournament are approved by Lahore Club while all the high goals by Pakistan Polo Association.