Contact Information

Debaleena Chakraborty Kolkata West Bengal, S4Q0J1 03340630093

~Announces Ezra World Cup 2011 presented by BFL CORP.
- To be played from Dec 18th to Dec 25th at Pat Williamson Ground
~Appoints RAIMA SEN and RIYA SEN as the first Brand Ambassador of Ezra World Cup

Online PR News – 24-November-2011 –Calcutta Polo Club, the oldest Polo Club in the world, is all set to celebrate its 150th Anniversary. To celebrate this significant event in the history of the sport, the Calcutta Polo Club, under the aegis of Indian Polo Association, extends an invitation to international teams across the world to compete for the “EZRA WORLD CUP” at the Pat Williamson Ground, which overlooks the Victoria Memorial and Vidyasagar Setu.

Four International teams from United States of America, Italy, Brazil & Indonesia with leading players namely Santiago Toccalino, Roberto Alvares & George Meurick will participate in the Ezra World Cup besides two Indian teams one from IPA/Cavalry and the other of the Calcutta Polo Club. These 6 teams will be divided in to two leagues and the best of each league will play the Finale amongst the fanfare on December 25, 2011.

To commemorate the momentous occasion of Calcutta Polo Club’s 150th Anniversary, a history gallery will be inaugurated during the season. The History Gallery will have memories from the past captured in frames and artifacts which have a lot of significance and relevance to the voyage of the Calcutta Polo Club. A Coffee Table Book will also be unveiled to celebrate the journey of world’s oldest Polo Club. A grand Polo Ball will close the celebration, International Fire Dancers, Bubble dancer, Saxophonist are slated to perform on this day. The gala event will be graced by the Members of the Royal Families of India, Diplomats, Industrialists and Polo patrons across the globe.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Keshaav Bangur, President, Calcutta Polo Club, “It’s an honour for us to be a part of the greatest ever celebration of Calcutta Polo Club on its 150th Anniversary. Today Polo requires committed patrons, more than anything else, to create the infrastructure which will encourage the younger generation to play Polo. I hope by successfully hosting the Ezra World Cup 2011 we will be able to draw more patrons towards this sport. Our vision is to keep the heritage of Calcutta Polo Club alive and encourage youngsters and Polo enthusiasts to take up Polo sport by making it more accessible. I would like to thank the “Indian Polo Association” and the “Indian Army” for all the support. We look forward with great enthusiasm and optimism to the season ahead.”

Ezra Cup, the first ever polo trophy in the world, is named after Sir David Ezra, a leading Jewish business tycoon in Calcutta who patronized the sport in the city. The first Ezra Cup was held in 1880.

The celebrations and tournament shall be graced by Mr. Eduardo Huergo, President, Federation of International Polo, Mr. Nick Denvers, Chairman, Hurlingham Polo Association (England), General VK Singh, COAS & President, Indian Polo Association & Lt Gen Bikram Singh, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Eastern Command.

Polo in Kolkata with glamour, luxury and wealth, have enjoyed the patronage of royalty like the Maharaja of Burdwan, Maharaja of Cooch Behar, Nizam of Hyderabad, The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales and Sultan of Brunei. They had rubbed shoulders with Indian Polo stalwarts like Maharaj Sawai Man Singh of Jaipur, Col Maharaj Prem Singh, Rao Raja Hanut Singh to name a few on the Pat Williamson Polo Grounds in Kolkata.

About Calcutta Polo Club:

Founded in 1862, the Calcutta Polo Club had been having all its tournaments in the pat Williamson ground, located in the centre of race course. It is the oldest polo club in the world and is still continuing its glorious journey with élan. The Pat Williamson Ground in centre of the Race Course (defense land) has a majestic Victoria Memorial forming the backdrop.

It all started in 1858 when two British soldiers Captain Robert Stewart and major Gen Joe Shearer witnessed a game, named Sagol Kangjei, being played by locals of Manipur. Both officers were so captivated that they quickly introduced the game to their peers, and then established the Calcutta Polo Club in the year 1861-62. Thereafter the club created the new organized format of the game and set The First Rule Book for Modern Polo.