Royal presentations despite rain stopping play
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Malta 2015 Exhibition Polo Match
A new chapter of polo history should have been written on Saturday 28 November. This was the date for an historic match between Guards Polo Club, sponsored by Hildon, and Malta Polo Club, sponsored by Malta International Airport, played in the presence of HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh; the final highlight of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2015 in Malta. Unfortunately after some unseasonably heavy rain, an early inspection of the ground, in use since the formation of Malta Polo Club in 1868, confirmed that the ground was too dangerous to play.
So both teams and umpires, looking elegant in their La Martina shirts, paraded in front of the Royal VIPs and HE Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta. Then the Cawnpore Cup, originally made in 1901, was taken by both teams back to the Malta Polo Club Clubhouse.
This event was the result of a private visit to Malta by Guards Polo Club’s Chief Executive Neil Hobday, who was on the island to see a Caravaggio painting. Realising that Malta Polo Club was where Guards Polo Club’s President, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, had first learned to play, Neil Hobday went to see the Club for himself. That initial meeting was just the first step in what is hoped to be a long-standing partnership between these two historic clubs.
“We were delighted to be part of CHOGM 2015, working closely with our friends at Malta Polo Club on such a prestigious occasion in one of the sport’s most historic venues. Although rain did stop play, we were honoured to present HM The Queen, our President and the President of Malta to our teams and sponsors. In addition, our visit here has strengthened the relationship between our two clubs and we look forward to hosting our Maltese friends at Smith’s Lawn.”
CHOGM 2015 MALTA EXHIBITION POLO MATCH TEAMS
Guards Polo Club, sponsored by Hildon
1. Hilali Noordeen
2. Kola Karim
3. Anthony Fanshawe
4. Roddy Matthews
Malta Polo Club, sponsored by Malta International Airport
1. Chris Delia
2. Martin Arrigo
3. Julian Mamo
4. Karl Galea