Patiala to host FIP Ambassdors Cup Polo tournament

Chandigarh, Mar 5 (UNI) Teams from 21 countries will participate in the FIP Ambassadors Cup Polo Tournament beginning in Patiala on March 8.

The Indian Polo Association and the Patiala Polo and Riding Club will conduct the tournament, the most prestigious Polo tournament in the world conducted under the aegis of the FIP--the International Polo Federation.

Over 33 Ambassador teams from 21 countries have confimed their participation. They included USA, Uruguay, Switzerland, France, Singapore, Australia, Canada, Germany, Mexico, Poland, Argentina, Hungary, Sweden, Norway, Mongolia, Morrocco, Egypt, Pakistan, Chile, China and India, a spokesman of the Indian Polo Association here said.

The Indian teams participating in the tournament are--Patiala Sahgal Stud, Royal Kashmir, 61st Cavalary Red, Indian Navy, APRC, Delhi, ASC/ARTY, NDA, 61st Cavalary Yellow, South Delhi, RVC-PBG, Royal Gems and Arts and Jaipur-Thunderbolt.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said that the state Punjab was privileged to hold this tournament which would bring the state into international focus in equestrian field.

He said Punjab had a long and rich tradition of sportsmanship and horse breeding, which would get a strong fillip by the FIP Ambassadors Cup tournament.

He said Punjab government has approved a proposal to set up a 'Turf Club' at Ludhiana, which would give an impetus to equestrian activity and horse breeding in the state.

The CM added the government was also setting up five equestrian centres, each at Bathinda, Patiala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar.

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