LAHORE: BN Polo Team clinched the coveted trophy of Pantera Energy Aibak Polo Cup after beating Remounts 10½-8 in the main final here at the Lahore Polo Club ground on Sunday.

M Madikiza, the High Commissioner of South Africa in Pakistan, graced the concluding ceremony as chief guest and distributed prizes and shields among the winners and top performers.

BN Polo Team’s Juan Maria Ruiz of Argentina was the hero of the final with a classic contribution of seven superb goals. He was ably assisted by team-mates Raja Mikail Sami and another foreign player Eulogio Celestino, who converted two and a one goal, respectively. From Remounts, Ignacio Negri played splendidly scoring seven goals while Vieri Antinori struck one.

BN, who had a half-goal handicap advantage, were off to a flying start as they launched a series of attacks on goal and succeeded in converting three goals against two by Remounts who matched fire with fire.

After end of the first chukker, BN Polo, who were enjoying a 3½-2 lead, maintained supremacy in the second chukker too, in which they added three more goals against one by Remounts as the former enhanced their lead to 6½-3.

The third chukker was evenly poised, where both sides managed to score one goal apiece as BN Polo lead 7½-4.

The highly-charged fourth and last chukker saw both the finalists displaying high-quality polo and converting goals one after another. This time Remounts played better slamming four goals but it was too little too late as BN Polo also managed to hammer a hat-trick of goals, and won the final 10½-8.

For his outstanding game, Juan Maria Ruiz emerged as the best player of the final. The most energetic player of the final award went to Babar Naseem while the best polo pony award was claimed by Kanela.

Talking to media after the final, Juan Maria Ruiz said: “I am playing in Lahore for the third consecutive season and I am very much impressed with the great hospitality of Lahorites. I am also enjoying my polo season in Pakistan, which is becoming more competitive and challenging with each passing year. The future of polo in Pakistan is very bright.”

Earlier in a nail-biting subsidiary final, Barry’s edged Colony Polo Team 7½-6. Ernesto Trotz was the star for Barry’s as he struck four goals while Santiago Gomes Romero and Farasat Ali Chatha converted one goal apiece. From Colony Polo Team, Francisco Bensadon and Abbas Mukhtar slammed a hat-trick each.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2021