Guard Group & Diamond Paints wins FIP 104th Ambassador’s Polo Cup 2019 openers
Remington Pharma/Guard Group and Diamond Paints won their opening day matches of Gul Ahmed FIP 104th Ambassador’s Polo Cup 2019 at Lahore Polo Club, Lahore.
On the opening day of the Gul Ahmed FIP 104th Ambassador’s Polo Cup 2019, Remington Pharma/Guard Group and Diamond Paints won their matches at Lahore Polo Club, Lahore.
Remington Pharma/Guard Group thumped Newage/Pebble Breakers 5-3. Taimur Ali and Dr Faisal Qadeer Khokhar played superbly and contributed two goals each in Remington Pharma/Guard Group’s triumph while David Payne struck one.
For the losing side, Alman Jalil Azam struck twice while Mohsin Ata Khan Khosa hit one.
Iqbal Jumbhoy emerged as top scorer with an impressive hat-trick as Diamond Paints defeated Barry’s 8-6. Mike Egan and Mir Huzaifa contributed a brace apiece while Mir Shoaib struck a goal.
Hussain Iftikhar also struck a hat-trick for the losing side while Andy Cork scored twice and Joe Meyer contributed one.
Six teams, having two foreign players each, are participating in the event with the final scheduled for Sunday.
Chief organiser Ishaq Khan Khakwani, who is also ambassador of the FIP in the country, said that the happiest moment for him was when the international body informed him that a good number of foreigners had showed the interest in coming to Pakistan for the tournament.
Foreign players competing are David Payne, Mike Egan (Canada), Jason Crane, Nick Gerad, Andy Cork, Rodrick Vere Nicoll (UK), Joe Meyer, Tanvir Khan (US), Kaveh Atrak (Sweden), Ronald Zurcher, Francisco Escobar (Costa Rica) and Iqbal Jumabhoy (Singapore).
Ishaq said that he faced no difficulty in getting the hosting rights for the tournament from FIP.
He said the tournament, which started 20 years ago, has played a key role in developing relations and understanding among the players of the world.
Malik Atif Yar Tiwana, the president of Lahore Polo Club, said it was a great honour to host such a prestigious polo event, which is a FIP tournament. He thanked the foreign players for showing up here, while also lauded the passion and generosity of the sponsors.
During their stay in Lahore, the players would also visit the mausoleum of King Qutub-ud-Din Aibak, who was also a polo player.
The six teams have been divided into two pools.
Pool ‘A’:
Remington Pharma/Guard Group: Kaveh Atrak (Sweden), David Payne (Canada), Dr. Faisal Qadeer Khokhar, Taimur Ali Malik (Pakistan).
Adisseo: Jason Crane (UK), Ronald Zurcher (Costa Rica), Atif Yar Tiwana, Abdul Haye Mehta (Paksitan).
Newage/Febble Breakers: Nick Gerad (UK), Francisco Escobar (Costa Rica), Alman Jalil Azam, Mohsin Atta Khan Khosa (Pakistan).
Pool ‘B’:
Diamond Paints: Mike Egan (Canada), Iqbal Jumabhoy (Singapore), Mir Huzaifa Ahmed, Mir Shoaib Ahmed (Pakistan).
Barry’s: Andy Cork (UK), Joe Meyere (US), Leenah Barry, Hussain Iftikhar (Pakistan). Master Paints: Dr. Tanveer Khan (US), Rodrick Vere Nicoll (UK), Farooq Amin Sufi, Babar Monnoo (Pakistan).
