LAHORE, Oct 31: All five teams have confirmed their participation in the World Cup polo Zone ‘D’ qualifying round to be held in Pakistan at Lahore Polo Club ground from Dec 6 to 14.

This was announced by the chairman organising committee Lt Gen Arif Hassan, who is also the chairman of Pakistan Polo Association, at a press briefing on Friday. Besides Pakistan the other teams competing in the five-day event are India, Singapore, Australia and Iran.

Arif explained that Pakistan would spend Rs 35 million to host the mega event, adding that funds would be generated through sponsors of which PTCL is the major sponsor.

Lahore Polo Club president, Abdul Hayee Mehtha, disclosed that that his club and Army will provide 50 and 100 horses for the participating teams.

He pointed out that all three grounds would be reserved for the qualifying round adding that two grounds would be available for the matches and one for practice.

The coach of the Pakistan team, eight handicapper player Podger El-Effendi stated that ten players were under training and a six-member Pakistan team would be selected from them.

He said that polo was a very hard game but added his players had the ability to deliver the goods.

The players being imparted training are Atif Yar Tiwana, Shah Shamyl Alam, Khurshid Ahmed, Ahmad Ali Tiwana, all four handicappers, Brig. Asfand Yar Ali Pataudi, Shah Qublai, Hissam Ali Hyder, Samiullah and Ahmad Khan, all three handicappers and a two handicapper Arslan Najeeb.

Asfand Yar, who is also the organising secretary said that in all 10 matches would be played on round-robin league.