09 Feb 2014|Noida | Jaipur Polo Ground, New Delhi
ELEVATION edges out JINDAL PANTHERS to win the finals of AMITY POLO CUP 2014
The engrossing, exciting and captivating finals of Amity Polo Cup (8 Goal) were played yesterday at Jaipur Polo Ground between Elevation and Jindal Panthers wherein ELEVATION overpowered JINDAL PANTHERS by 6-5 Goals and won the title. The thunder of hooves, clap of millets and galloping equestrians fully entertained the spectators. The stands were packed to capacity.
The Eight goal tournament was played over 5 days at Army Equestrian Centre, Dhaula Kaun and Jaipur Polo Grounds, New Delhi. Total 13 matches were played during the tournament.
This year, over 10 teams competed for the title of Amity Polo Cup 2014 which commenced on February 5 with over 3 league matches played every day and semi- finals on Saturday February 8, 2014.
The finals were battled fiercely between both the teams which fielded some of the best polo players including Mr. Geraldo Mazzini (+6), Mr. Abhimanyu Pathak (+4) and Mr. Simran Shergill (+5).
Team Elevation- LD lliyash Ali (-2), Mr. Satinder Gracha (+2), Mr. Vishal Nihalani (+2), Mr. Gerardo Mazzini (+6)
Team Jindal Panthers- Mr. Pratap Singh Kanota (-2), Mr. Siddhant Sharma (+1), Mr. Abhimanyu Pathak (+4), Mr. Simran Shergill (+5)
Both teams were 8 goals each and displayed superb horsemanship and stick work. Abhimanyu Pathak opened the account of Jindal Panther by converting a 30 yard penalty and Simran Shergill added one goal while Satinder Garcha opened the account for Elevation and Gerardo Mazzini added one goal in the 1st chukker. 2nd chukker was dominated by Elevation in which Gerardo Mazzini scored 2 goals (one field and one spot hit) while Jindal Panther could not score any goal. In the 3rd chukker Shirman Shergill converted 30 yard penalty for Jindal Panther while Vishal Nihalani scored one goal for Elevation. The score was 5 goals to 3 in favour of Elevation at the end of 3rd chukker. In the last chukker Jindal Panther came forward with their pony power in which Simran Shergill converted two penalties (30 yard and 40 yard) to equalize the score but at the end of chukker Satinder Garcha scored a brilliant goal and won the match.
Scorers for Elevation were – Gerardo Mazzini (3), Satinder Garcha (2), Vishal Nihalani (1).
Scorers for Jidnal Panther were – Simran Shergill (4), Abhimanyu Pathak (1).
Speaking during the occasion, Ms Pooja Chauhan- Vice Chairperson, Amity Humanity Foundation said, “Amity, besides providing world class education, imbibes a deep passion for philanthropy and corporate social responsibility. Amity Polo Cup is the testimony of this fact. She emphasized that Amity Polo Cup is the only Polo Cup which is played for Charity in the country. She shared that the proceeds of Amity Polo Cup will go to AMITASHA and ATULASHA, projects under the Amity Humanity Foundation (AHF), the social renaissance Engine of Amity. Under the projects, underprivileged girls and boys are provided free education, books and food so that they can realize their dreams and become valuable contributors to the society.
The finals were preceded by an Exhibition Match between Axis Bank and Gaursons Group wherein Axis Bank beat Gaursons Group by 4-8.
Thousands of spectators including who’s who of the city Ambassadors of several countries, Diplomats, Academicians, Designers and famous Personalities from all walks of life thronged Jaipur Polo Grounds to witness the finals including Mr. Naveen Jindal- MP, Parliament; Ms. Pinky Anand- Eminent lawyer; Luis Alvarez- Attache, Embassy of Spain; Counsellor, Embassy of Syria; Deputy High Commissioner of Canada; Radu Octavian Dobre- Charge D’ Affaires, Embassy of Romania, Doulat Kuanyushev- Ambassador of Kazakstan, Ernest Rwamucyo- High Commissioner of Rwanda, H. E Jon Aquilina, High Commissioner of Malta, Harald Sandberg- Ambassador, Embassy of Sweden, Cecile Theon- Counsellor, Embassy of the kingdom of Belgium, Darja Baudaz Kuret- Ambassador, Embassy of Republic of Slovenia, Dr. Milos Kuret- Embassy of Republic of Slovenia, Ambassador, Embassy of Iceland, Mr. Aapo Polho- Ambassador, Embassy of Finland.
Also present during the occasion was the host, Amity family- Dr. (Mrs.) Amita Chauhan- Chairperson, Amity International Schools, Mr. Atul Chauhan- Chancellor, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh and President, RBEF and Mr. Aseem Chauhan- Chancellor, Amity University Rajasthan, Ms. Divya Chauhan- Vice Chairperson, Amity School of Fine Arts and Fashion Technology and Ms. Sapna Chauhan- Vice Chairperson, AMIOWN
The performance by the boys and girls of ATULASHA and AMITASHA was a treat to the senses of the spectators and was widely praised by one and all.
The grand tournament was sponsored by Axis Bank, Gaursons Group, GAIL, Hema Engineering, Cosmic Group, Ford India, Dabur, Rathi Steel, EIL, Petronet, OBC, Franchisee India, Varahi Group, Cream of the crop.