BN Polo emerged victorious in the 5th President of Pakistan National Open Polo Championship after a rain-interrupted final at Jinnah Polo Fields, prevailing over FG Polo in a tense penalty shootout. The match, sponsored by Sarsabz with Kingdom Valley as co-sponsor, drew a large turnout of families and polo followers eager to see the title decider.
The final featured evenly matched sides, each with a combined handicap of 14 goals. BN Polo fielded Babar Naseem, Ibrahim Khalil, Argentine professional Tito Ruiz Guinazu and Lao Abelenda. FG Polo lined up Amin Rehman, Mekayial Sami, Marcos Rivarola and Raul Laplacette. The contest began with FG Polo taking an early edge as Mekayial Sami converted a 30-yard penalty and Raul Laplacette added another penalty before Marcos Rivarola struck a field goal.
BN Polo responded late in the first chukker through Tito Ruiz, who produced a field goal to keep his side in contention. In the second chukker Raul Laplacette extended FG Polo’s lead with another 30-yard penalty, but BN Polo fought back when Lao Abelenda produced two quick field goals to level the contest and make it 4–3 before the weather intervened.
Heavy rain forced match officials to halt play as the turf at Jinnah Polo Fields became unplayable. With conditions deteriorating and the result still in doubt, the organisers opted to decide the title by penalties. BN Polo kept their composure in the shootout, with Babar Naseem and Tito Ruiz converting their attempts, while FG Polo missed a crucial chance when Amin Rehman failed to convert, handing BN Polo the narrow 4–3 advantage in the shootout and the championship trophy.
Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan was the chief guest and led the prize distribution ceremony, joined by Mian Abbas Mukhtar, Kingdom Valley Managing Director Ghulam Murtaza and club Secretary Major Adil Sultan Rao (Retd). Local and international performers were recognised, with Babar Naseem named most valuable player among local players and Argentine professional Tito Ruiz Guinazu awarded most valuable player among foreign players.
The best polo pony honour went to Babar Naseem’s mare Dolfina Sigo. In other categories Saqib Khakwani was declared best player in the medium goal division while Amin Rehman took the most improved award in that category. In the low goal bracket Hamza Mawaz Khan received the best player award and Abbas Mukhtar was named most improved.
Additional recognitions included Umar Ashfaq as most improved in the minus two to zero category, Ibrahim Khalil as best 0–2 goal player, Raja Mekayial Sami as most improved in the 2–4 category and Dayan Butt as emerging talent. Special awards acknowledged Sufi Muhammad Amir with the spirit of polo award and Rabeel Hussain as the MVP lady. The result caps a competitive week of polo and highlights BN Polo’s resilience in adverse conditions.
