City based Amateur Riders Club to challenge Artillery Corps, Nashik

The Bombay Gymkhana, India’s most prestigious and premier clubs founded way back in 1875, with a rich heritage of sporting history and culture, is all set to host the Volvo Bombay Gymkhana Arena Polo Championship at their hallowed turf after a gap of over 100 years on Sunday, 12 May, 2024 under floodlights. 

Two teams comprising a mix of players from the Amateur Riders Club, Mumbai and the battled hardened Artillery Corps, Nashik will battle it out for supremacy under floodlights at Bombay Gymkhana lush green arena specially spruced for the one-off engrossing encounter in an arena format.

As may be recalled the prestigious ‘Bombay Gymkhana Polo Challenge Cup’ was first held way back in 1882, with the Central India Horse team emerging as champions in the inaugural edition, before the host Bombay Gymkhana polo team trumped in 1885. In addition the Gymkhana also hosted the first Cricket Test match in India in 1933 was also the home of Polo with the sport being hosted by Bombay Gymkhana and competitions being conducted until the 1920 at this iconic venue.

Sanjiv Saran Mehra, President of Bombay Gymkhana, on the revival of the landmark event said, “As a precursor to the Bombay Gymkhana 150th year celebrations in 2025 we have plans to organise various sporting events, some new additions (like the Bombay Gymkhana 10K run which was held in March 2024 or reviving some sports events linked to our rich sporting heritage.”

He further said, “It is in this connection that we are reviving ‘Bombay Polo Challenge Cup’ founded in 1882. It is a momentous occasion for the sport and for the social calendar of the city as once again, the Army and the civilian teams join hands with Bombay Gymkhana to restore one of its formation games – POLO, which were being conducted until the 1920 at this iconic venue.”

Photo Above: Mumbai based Amateur Riders Club and Artillery Corps, Nashik will vie for the glittering Bombay Gymkhana Polo Challenge Cup