LAHORE, Dec 6: President General Pervez Musharraf formally declared the World Cup Polo Zone “D” qualifying round open in a colourful ceremony at the Fortress Stadium on Saturday night.

“I formally declare the World Cup Polo Zone ‘D’ open,” said the president to thunderous applause by excited polo fans.

The competition is scheduled to begin at the Lahore Polo Club Grounds from Sunday with the opening match between Pakistan and Iran. India Australia and Singapore are the three other teams participating in the tournament.

Different items were presented in the colourful ceremony, the most prominent being the display by the Presidential Body Guards (PBG), the Army torch-bearers unit and the tent-pegging.

The PBG, comprising 22 riders attracted a captive audience. When they crisscrossed each other, the spectators were thrilled and gave a big ovation.

Around 150 torch-bearers displayed different formations. They also made the words “Welcome” and “WCup 03”.

A group of schoolgirls sang the national anthem.

Shaheen Club, Chenab Rangers and Sargodha Club displayed their skill at tent-pegging. A “Buzkushi” match between the Aryan and Kharasan teams was also played.

 “Buzkushi” a centuries old sport, originating from Central Asia and popular in Afghanistan and the Northern Areas of Pakistan is still played today.

A polo match between Chitral and Gilgit, the two arch-rivals of Shandur polo arena, was played which Chitral won 3-2. Players of all five participating teams of the tournament marched past astride their horses, before the gathering. The ceremony ended with a heavy fireworks display. Later, the chairman organising committee and president Pakistan Polo Association (PPA) Lt Gen. Arif Hasan presented a statue named as “Baloch Warrior” to the president. The tournament director Farooq Younas also presented  a souvenir to the president.

The tournament will end with the last match between Pakistan and India on Dec 14.