PRESTIGIOUS POLO TOURNAMENT CULMINATES IN ULTIMATE TRIBUTE TO ‘GAME OF KINGS’
The Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup came to a spectacular close last week, following a four-day tournament and an elite social scene attended by VIPs and royalty from around the world.
The event took place in the shadows of the Maharaja’s stunning Umaid Bhawan Palace from 26-30 December and culminated in a gala dinner hosted by title sponsors Royal Salute. His Highness Gaj Singh II then offered the ultimate tribute to all those involved by inviting guests to his famous New Year’s Eve procession, which marks the close of Jodhpur’s polo season each year.
Royal Salute, the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky, along with His Highness Gaj Singh II, welcomed a myriad of royal dignitaries including the long-term ambassador of Royal Salute, His Grace Torquhil Ian Campbell, the 13th Duke of Argyll, His Highness Maharaja of Jaipur Brigadier Bhawani Singh and His Highness Maharaja Davait Singh of Sirohi. The British High Commissioner, His Excellency Sir Richard Stagg, was an honorary guest on finals day.
His Grace, The Duke of Argyll, said, “It was excellent to see Royal Salute supporting this highly respected sport in such a prestigious setting. The enormous success of the event this week was a fitting tribute to the work that His Highness Gaj Singh II Maharaja of Jodhpur has put into reviving his city’s fascinating polo tradition.”
Neil Macdonald, International Brand Director for Royal Salute, added, “We would like to thank His Highness the Maharaja of Jodhpur, Gaj Sing II, for his patronage of one of the world’s most luxurious and spectacular eventsLive to see in the New Year.”
The exclusive, invitation-only 10 goal tournament was won by the Umaid Bhawan Palace team and in a special exhibition match between the Royal Salute Polo Team and the Hermès Polo Team, Royal Salute triumphed with 6 goals over 4.
While the opening of the tournament was marked by a spectacular fly past of 5 Mig jets of the Indian Air Force, it concluded with the firing of 21 guns during the presentation of the winning trophy.
The Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup builds on the success of the Royal Salute Gold Cup, an exclusive tournament held annually in October at the luxury Nine Dragons Hill Polo Club in Shanghai, China. The Royal Salute Polo Gold Cup is now in its third year and has a reputation as the foremost annual polo event in China.
Royal Salute has also confirmed that it will kick off 2010 with the new sponsorship of another of the world’s most luxurious polo eventsLive – the Nations Cup at the Desert Palm Polo Club in Dubai, commencing on the 26th January.
30th of December (Final)
– Taj Hotels
1. Simran Shergill
2. Bhupinder Singh (Om)
3. Abhimanu Pathak
4. Dilip Singh
– Umaid Bhawan Palace
1. KV Singh
2. Manu Pal Godara
3. Dhananjay Singh
4. Vishal Nahilani
31st of December (Hermes)
– Hermes Team
1. Manu
2. Yogeshwar Singh
3. Abhimanu Phatak
4. Pep Singh
– Royal Salute Team
1. Himmat Singh
2. Samir Suhag
3. Raghav Raj Singh
4. Dhananjay Singh