Newage, Barry's, BN Polo win Bank Alfalah National Open Polo C’ship for the Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup 2021 openers

The two-week long five-chukker Bank Alfalah National Open Polo Championship for the Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup 2021 rolled into action at the historical Lahore Polo Club ground.

Top 10 teams, which are featuring in this 14-goal event, are BN, DS Polo/ASC, FG Polo, Newage/Rizvi’s and Risala in Pool A and Master Paints Black, Diamond Paints, Remounts, Barry’s and Master Paints in Pool B.

“All the teams have services of top national and international polo players, who will be showing their prowess during this prestigious tournament, and such a huge participation of foreign players presents a positive image of the country globally,” said Lahore Polo Club (LPC) President Omer Sadik, while addressing a press conference.

Omer Sadik thanked Bank Alfalah for sponsoring the prestigious polo tournament of Pakistan and hoped that they would continue to support this game of kings and knights.

Revealing the history of National Polo Championship, the LPC president said: “The premier tournament of the country, The National Open Polo Championship, was first played at world famous Lahore Polo Club in 1963. Originally named as the EL Effendi Cup presented for this tournament by Brig. Hissam el Effendi was played in this name from 1963 to 1976. In 1977, it was named after the father of the nation and called the National open Polo Championship for the Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup.

In a statement, Atif Bajwa, President & CEO Bank Alfalah, said: “We have been keen to support the growth of sports, art, and culture in the country, and it is an honor for us to be rejuvenating interest in the king of sports as well. Such events are a great way to showcase local talent to the world; having international players on the teams also testifies to the quality of the playing field. We look forward to a healthy and spirited competition."
Other notables present on the occasion were Bank Alfalah Head Wealth Management & Liability Products Kabir Ahmed Qureshi, executive committee members Agha Murtaza Ali, Shah Qubilai Alam, Feroz Gulzar, Usman Haye, Saqib Khan Khakwani, Agha Najeeb Raza, LPC Secretary Lt Col (r) Mudassar Sharif and top national and foreign polo players.