National polo from Monday

“The last national-level polo tournament in Bangalore was in 2005,” said Lt Gen GS Dhillon, Commandant of ASC Centre and College, the organisers of the tournament, here on Friday. “ASC had organised that event too, but due to various constraints, we were not able to continue holding competitions. I feel this tournament could change things, we hope to have at least one tournament every year.”

A total of five teams, both army and civil, will be compete for two titles -- the Bangalore Turf Club Trophy and the Inter-City Polo Trophy. While the BTC tourney will be held from August 31 to September 6, the Inter City matches will commence on September 7 and conclude on September 13.

Apart from last time’s Inter-City winners ASC, Indian Navy, Artillery Centre, President Body Guard and RVC Centre will also take part in the event.

Riders will do battle on a recently refurbished 200-yards x 300-yard field overs four chukkers, or periods, of seven minutes each. “The winners of the Inter-City tournament will receive an eight-foot tall silver trophy instituted by ASC, currently one of the largest trophies in the world,” added Dhillon, pointing out that the general public too would be allowed access to the ASC campus to witness the tournament. While the polo matches will start at 4.30 pm, the horse show will be held from 2.30 pm.