OHOR BAHRU, MALAYSIA – 6th Sept 2026 – The Johor Super Crown Polo Tournament (JSCPT) 2026 officially came to a close today at the Royal Polo Grounds, Istana Pasir Pelangi. The landmark event, themed “Legacy in Motion,” marks the largest and highest handicap polo tournament ever hosted in Malaysia, cementing Johor’s position as a premier luxury sports and polo destination in Asia. A Historic Victory and MVP Performance The highlight of the concluding day was a mesmerizing final match that saw Royal Johor emerge as the inaugural champions, defeating Temasek 10-7. The victory was spearheaded by a dominant performance from His Royal Highness Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the Regent of Johor, who secured a double hat-trick with six spectacular goals in the sixth chukka. His Royal Highness’s success in claiming the top award was undoubtedly made sweeter as it was achieved despite having to face the challenge of playing while still plagued by a hand injury.
For his consistent play and exceptional sportsmanship throughout the 22goal tournament, His Royal Highness was crowned the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). Teammate Pablo “Polito” Pieres contributed significantly to the win by adding a hat-trick of his own. The individual accolades for Royal Johor were completed when HRH Tunku Mahkota Ismail’s horse, Poliya Cara Pálida, was awarded the Best Playing Pony.Tournament Standings: • Champions: Royal Johor • Runner-Up: Temasek • Third Place: Korea Polo A Celebration of Heritage and Global Excellence Driven by the shared vision of HRH Tunku Mahkota Ismail and Polito Pieres, the JSCPT 2026 featured five invitation-only teams and 190 horses. It successfully captured the evolution of royal heritage into global athletic excellence, transforming timeless prestige into a living, breathing spectacle. The prize-giving ceremony was graciously officiated by Che’ Puan Mahkota Khaleeda Johor, who presented the tournament trophy, medals, and the MVP award. The magnificent championship trophy, crafted by Royal Insignia, is a masterpiece combining fine silver, 24-karat gold, rhodium, lapis lazuli, and gemstones, featuring motifs deeply inspired by Johor’s royal and polo heritage.
The final match and closing ceremony were witnessed by esteemed members of the Johor royal family, including Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Putera Johor Tunku Abu Bakar Sultan Ibrahim, Raja Muda Johor Tunku Iskandar Tunku Ismail, and Tunku Khalsom Aminah Sofiah Tunku Ismail. Also in attendance were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, state government leadership, and the Secretary of the Royal Johor Polo Club, David Keyte.The closing ceremony, guided by emcee Patricia Sue-Lin Knudsen, concluded with special performances by the Johor Military Force (JMF) brass band and Royal Police of Malaysia (PDRM). These were accompanied by a captivating cultural performance by the Johor Heritage Foundation, celebrating the tournament’s role not just as a sporting competition, but as a platform for international friendship, cultural exchange, and luxury sports tourism.
About Royal Johor Polo Club: Established over a century ago, the Royal Johor Polo Club is among Asia’s oldest and most prestigious polo clubs, with a legacy deeply rooted in Johor’s royal heritage. Hosted at the iconic Istana Pasir Pelangi’s Royal Polo Grounds, the club continues to be a catalyst for positioning Johor on the international polo circuit.