The 49th Aibak Polo Cup kicked off at Lahore Polo Club with enthusiastic crowds and family audiences turning out for a day of high-quality polo under the banner of the Aibak Polo Cup. Organised in collaboration with sponsor Ecostar, the tournament opened with two closely fought fixtures that set a competitive tone for the week.
FG Polo prevailed in a tight opener against BN Polo, edging the match 7.5 to 6. Raja Mikayial Sami was the driving force for FG Polo, netting four excellent goals, while Marcos Rivarola added two. FG Polo’s half-goal handicap proved decisive in the final margin. BN Polo received a spirited showing from Hamza Mawaz Khan, who scored four goals, and a contribution from Ibrahim Khalil with one goal. The sides will meet again on Thursday for an additional four chukkers, with the winner moving into the final and the loser contesting the subsidiary final.
The second contest produced dramatic late drama as SQ Seagold defeated Master Paints 6-5 in sudden-death extra time in the fifth chukker. Raja Samiullah finished with three goals for SQ Seagold, supported by two from Bilal Haye and one from Ahmed Ali Tiwana. Master Paints were led by Amirreza Behboudi with four superb goals and a strike from Raja Temur Nadeem, but they fell just short in the extra-time decider.
A press briefing is scheduled on Wednesday, February 4 at 3:00 PM at Lahore Polo Club, where sponsor Ecostar and Lahore Polo Club President Malik Azam Hayat Noon will outline further details about the Aibak Polo Cup schedule and upcoming fixtures. With intense matches already on display, local fans can expect more competitive polo as the tournament progresses.
