Associated Press Of Pakistan
By Sohail Ali
LAHORE, March 21 — Diamond Paints claimed the Bank Alfalah National Open Polo Championship trophy after beating the enthusiastic BN Polo team 7-5 in the action-packed final here on the packed Lahore Polo Club field on Sunday played.
Central Bank Business Governor Alfalah Syed Muhammad Talal Raza and the South African High Commissioner in Pakistan M Madikiza praised the event as main guests and handed out prizes and shields among the winners and top achievers. Other prominent figures at the event were IOC member Syed Shahid Ali, Pakistan, president of Lahore Polo Club, Omer Sadik, members of the executive committee, polo players and their families, all of whom strictly followed Covid-19 SOPs and a played a positive role in making the event and especially the final a success.
Diamond Paints started and maintained their lead until the end. The winning team dominated the first three chukkers well, while BN Polo did make a good return in the fourth and fifth chukkers, but Diamond Paints also added important goals and when the final whistle was blown, Diamond Paints emerged as winners of the coveted position came out. premier polo event of the country and also bagged the glittering trophy.
Raul Laplacette emerged as the best scorer from the winning side with a contribution of fantastic four goals, while Saqib Khan Khakwani passed and a prop passed and Ramiro Zavletta hit one goal. From the losing side, Juan Maria Ruiz Tito and Eulogio Celestino each hit with a prop while Raja Mikail Sami scored one. The final was won by Barry’s, who beat DS Polo / ASC 7-4.
At the closing ceremony, the coveted National Open trophy was presented to the Diamond Paints team, while the BN Polo team received runners-up. Basil Faisal Khokhar receives the emerging talent award, Leenah Barry the best lady player award, Shaharyar Khan is awarded the best spirit of polo award, Arib Ali Malik the best player in the category –2-0, Mir Huzaifa Ahmed the best player of 0-2 category, Raja Mikail Sami the best player of 2-4 category.
Lolly 11720 was named the best pony from Pakistan and the award was received by Colonel Saleem Baboo and Lt Col Zulfiqar, Chakrera was named the best pony of the tournament and her award was received by Diamond Shaints’ Mir Shoaib Ahmed, while Hissam Ali Hyder was Raul Laplacette of Diamond Paints, who handed out the best Pakistan player award, is the player of the tournament, and Ernesto Trotz received the award from Barry to achieve the biggest goal of the tournament.
President of Lahore Polo Club, Omer Sadik, thanked his entire team for the successful organization of the leading national tournament and especially thanked the sponsors Bank Alfalah for supporting the match of kings and knights and especially the sponsorship of the Pakistan’s most prestigious tournament “National Open Polo Championship 2021 for Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup” and hoped that they will continue their support for this beautiful match.