New Delhi: The prestigious Jindal Steel Indian Open Polo Championship 2025 began with great fervor, graced by the presence of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla as the Chief Guest. The opening match, held on Tuesday, witnessed a captivating showdown between Jindal Panther and Team Carysil, marking the start of the tournamentโs 125th anniversary celebration.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, accompanied by several prominent political figures, encouraged players and commended their dedication to the sport.
Intense Opening Match
In a nail-biting contest, Jindal Panther, led by MP Naveen Jindal, triumphed over Team Carysil with a final score of 8-7.
The match started with a strong opening by Shamshir Ali of Team Carysil, who scored the first goal. However, Jindal Panther swiftly counterattacked, gaining a 5-2 lead by halftime.
One of the most remarkable moments in the match was the father-son face-off. While Shamshir Ali played for Team Carysil, his son Hurr Ali played for Jindal Panther, creating a rare and emotional moment in Indian polo history.
Top Scorers
- Shamshir Ali (Carysil): 4 goals
- Juane Harriot (Jindal Panther): 4 goals
The intense contest kept the audience on edge until the final moments, with Team Jindal Panther securing their victory by a single point.
Om Birlaโs Encouraging Words
During his address, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla shared his thoughts on the game:
FLASH: Speaker Om Birla was visibly excited after witnessing his first-ever polo match in person at the Jindal Steel Indian Open Polo Championship 2025.
A nail-biting contest saw Jindal Panther beat Jindal Carysil 8-7 at Jaipur Polo Ground, New Delhi.
Reports @Nihal_kumar0045โฆ pic.twitter.com/CbOjD0gIOQ
โ The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) March 18, 2025
โThis was my first experience watching a polo match live. I had received invitations before but never had the opportunity to attend. Today, when Naveenji suggested I join, I decided to come โ and Iโm glad I did.โ
He added, โPeople often say that polo is a sport for the elite, but I disagree. In this game, all players are equal, and their performance is a reflection of their dedication, learning, and experience. Every moment on the field demands full concentration and commitment.โ
He further said, โAs I looked around, I noticed many Members of Parliament watching polo for the first time, just like me. I congratulate all the players and encourage them for their impressive performance. Even for those of us who arenโt players, their efforts deserve great admiration.โ
Celebrating 125 Years of Polo Legacy
The presence of dignitaries such as BJP MP Naveen Jindal, former CM of Tripura and Lok Sabha MP Biplab Kumar Deb, Chairman of Parliamentary IT Committee of GoI and senior Lok Sabha MP Dr. Nishikant Dubey, Mrs. Shalu Jindal, Union Minister Rao Indrajit Singh, MP Jagdambika Pal, Indore MP Shankar Lalwani, Kartik Chidambaram, former Union Minister GK Vasan, Fatehpur Sikri MP Rajkumar Chahar, Dharamveer Singh, Aurangabad MP Abhay Kumar Sinha, Kanwar Singh Tanwar, senior MP Deepender Hooda, former minister Rajiv Shukla, MP Saumitra Khan and several other senior leaders added grandeur to the occasion. Speaker Om Birla applauded the sportsmanship and athletic prowess displayed by the participants.
In his address, Naveen Jindal expressed his pride in leading Team Jindal Panther to victory and encouraged young sports enthusiasts to embrace polo. The tournament, rich in tradition and legacy, continues to be a significant platform for showcasing Indiaโs polo talent.
Upcoming Matches and Final Showdown
According to the tournament schedule, the grand finale will take place on Sunday at 4 PM, promising another round of high-octane action as top national and international players compete for the prestigious title.
