La Polo organized Season IV of The Indian Polo Awards (TIPA); Celebrating excellence in POLO
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ February 26,2025
The fourth season of The Indian Polo Awards (TIPA) returned in full grandeur at the iconic City Palace in Jaipur, where the sport’s brightest stars were honoured in a star-studded evening. Organised by La Polo, this prestigious event recognised outstanding contributions to the sport across 22 award categories, celebrating the dedication and achievements of players, teams, patrons, and supporters of polo.
The event was co-hosted by Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh and Maninder Singh Sethi, Editor-in-Chief of La Polo. The occasion was graced by the crème de la crème of the city, along with supporters, patrons of the game and esteemed polo players, making it a grand celebration of the sport. The event was deftly moderated by ace Polo Commentator, Sharad Saxena and Model and Actor, Deepti Gujral.
In his address, Sawai Padmanabh Singh said, “The Indian Polo Awards is a remarkable initiative to recognise those who have contributed significantly to the growth of the sport and its rich heritage. I am honoured to support La Polo in this endeavour, and believe that such recognitions will inspire the entire polo community to continue elevating the game.”
Maninder Singh Sethi, Editor-in-Chief of La Polo, added, “India, as the birthplace of modern polo, has long been home to a rich polo heritage, yet the broader ecosystem that nurtures and sustains the sport has not always received the recognition it truly deserves. While the spotlight often falls on the players and patrons who make the game so exhilarating, it is the intricate network of support—from dedicated trainers and skilled groomers to the teams working tirelessly behind the scenes—that truly fuels polo’s success. This ecosystem, though sometimes in the shadows, is as integral to the sport’s growth and global standing as the players themselves. This recognition of both the shining stars and the unsung heroes is essential to celebrating polo in its fullest form.”
A key highlight of the evening was the introduction of two new award categories: The Arena Polo Club of the Season and The Junior Team, marking the event’s ongoing commitment to broadening the scope of recognition in Indian polo.
The award winners for Season IV were as follows:
Baroda The Traditional Polo Player: Ghulam Mustafa
Alwar The Polo Trainer (Civil): Mukesh Singh
Alwar The Polo Trainer (Army): Hv Bittu & Nk Risaldar Abbas Ali
The Polo Groom: Arif Khan
La Martina The Lady Polo Player: Dr. Shivangi Jai Singh
La Martina The Young Polo Player: Vishwarupe Bajaj
Gwalior The Best Polo Pony: Sapo
Bhopal Pataudi The Best Polo Ground: Rajasthan Polo Club
The Polo Club of the Season: Jindal Polo and Equestrian Foundation
The Arena Polo Club of the Season:
Hyderabad Polo and Riding Club
Jammu and Kashmir The Army Polo Player: Lt Col. Vishal Chauhan
The Promising Polo Player: Savir Mehraj Godara
The Emerging Patron Jaipur Polo Team
The Polo Commentator of the Season Sharad Saxena
Contribution to Polo 61st Cavalry
The Best Junior Team Udar Polo
La Polo Lifetime Achievement Award: Jaipur Royal Family
Jaipur The Polo Patron: ACHIEVERS
The Best Team – Low Goal: Army Service Corps (ASC)
The Best Team – High Goal: ACHIEVERS (Jaipur)
Patiala The International Polo Player: Santiago Marambio
Jindal Panther The Most Valuable Polo Player: Abhimanyu Pathak
The esteemed jury for the awards included R. Balachander, Former Senior Advisor at Ernst & Young and Chartered Accountant, and polo player Benjamin C. Araya, a former 10 goal player and the youngest to win the Argentine open until 2020. Their expert knowledge of the sport and processes guided the selection criteria and ensured that the right winner was chosen.
The Indian Polo Awards Season IV was powered by Jindal Panther Polo and Co-powered by Rajasthan Tourism and Delta Polo by Aishwarya. Additional support came from Code Silver and Wedding Asia as Associate Partners, La Martina as Category Sponsor, Paro as Pouring Partner, and Maison De Fouzdar as Gifting Partner.
In a major announcement, La Polo launched its first-ever global edition, featuring one of the sport’s finest players, Adolfo Cambiaso, on the cover. This global expansion marks a milestone for La Polo, establishing its presence in the international polo community and further amplifying its mission to celebrate and elevate the sport across the globe.
La Polo continues to be a premier platform dedicated to the celebration of polo, its players, and the vibrant community that supports it. With in-depth coverage and exclusive stories, La Polo has become the cornerstone for polo enthusiasts not only in India but around the world, offering a deeper appreciation of the game—from thrilling field competition to the tireless work behind the scenes.
As one of the most anticipated events in the Indian polo calendar, the Indian Polo Awards continues to set the benchmark for recognising excellence, dedication, and significant contributions to the sport. With its continued growth, the event is a tribute to the polo community, honouring the unsung heroes who work tirelessly to promote the sport and its rich legacy.
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