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Company release, October 24, 2004
New Delhi
The 2004 Delhi Polo Season begins with India's premier high goal tournament, the 104th Indian Open, sponsored for the second consecutive year by Reid & Taylor. Organised by Equisport, along with the Indian Polo Association and Army Polo & Riding Club, the 20-goal open championship begins on October 24 and will end with the finals on October 31, 2004 at the Jaipur Polo Grounds, New Delhi. The tournament matches are slated to begin at 2:00 pm daily and are open to the public.
The illustrious tournament attracts the best teams and players from across the country and abroad, to battle for the coveted trophy. With participant teams including high goal squads such as Royal Kashmir, Zara, Oberoi Blues and Jindal Steel & Power who are last year's Indian Open Champions, the event is sure to be an exciting affair for polo enthusiast in the city.
The Reid & Taylor Indian Open is considered to be the most competitive tournament in Indian Polo and is designated the National Championship of Polo. Polo fans will be treated to world champion riders, superb Argentine & Indian thoroughbred horses and rousing action. This year, the Reid & Taylor Cup will be played on a league basis with each game being played over six chukkars, i.e. 90 minutes. Some of India's most outstanding players will be competing this year in addition to top foreign professionals from Argentina & U.K
Reid & Taylor is sponsoring the tournament for the second time this year. Mr. Nitin Kasliwal, Managing Director, S. Kumars Nationwide Ltd. said, "The brand philosophy of Reid & Taylor is to 'Bond With The Best'. In tune with this philosophy we always associate with the best, given the synergy of association. Polo and Reid &Taylor have a lot in common. Polo is a lifestyle sport and Reid & Taylor is a lifestyle brand. Both are male centric and have an illustrious heritage. Since the Indian Open is the most coveted Polo Tournament in India Reid & Taylor decided to associate with it. You see it's all with "Bonding With The Best."
Major Adhiraj Singh, Managing Director, Equisport, pioneers in the promotion of Polo in India, said, "Equisport has been committed to excellence in the great sport of polo since 1994. We aim to encourage the highest standards of sportsmanship and to increase awareness of the sport amongst players and spectators alike. The Indian Open Polo Championship, which is being sponsored by Reid and Taylor for the second consecutive year, serves as a symbol of excellence in high goal competition, horsemanship and good sportsmanship."
A photo contest dedicated to all photojournalists 'willing to capture the perfect shot during a Polo match' was announced on the occasion. The images (one image per entrant) will be judged by a panel of 3 judges and will be displayed daily at the venue. A grand prize of Rs 10,000 and a gift hamper from Reid & Taylor will be announced on the day of the finals for the best image captured during the tournament. In addition, a prize of Rs 2000 will be given daily for the best action shot of the previous day's match.
Prior to the Reid & Taylor Indian Open final match on October 31, the ITC Maurya Sheraton Polo Trophy will be played between Toyota and Airtel comprising of polo patrons such as Shivraj Singh of Jodhpur, Vikramaditya Singh of Kashmir, Navin Khanna of Teachers Whiskey and Sunjay Kapur of Sona Group among others.
On the occasion of the playing of the Reid & Taylor Indian Open Polo Championship, Col. J.S.Virk Hony Secretary, Indian Polo Association said, "The Indian Open Polo Championship was presented by the Indian Polo Association as it is our endeavor to raise the game of Polo to the status of a recognised sport."
Continuing their association as Title Sponsors for the second year running, Reid and Taylor, will be presenting the winning team member's with Green Jackets. Toyota, Airtel and Indian Airlines are the associate sponsors for the event. ITC Maurya Sheraton is the 'hospitality sponsor' for this tournament. The hotel is hosting a launch party for the championship and will be hosting a High Tea at the polo grounds on the day of the finals. Three lucky draws will be held on October 31 at the finals, two draws for separate pairs of international air tickets, courtesy Indian Airlines and one lucky draw for a 3 day-2 night stay at any ITC Maurya Sheraton Hotel in India.
Equisport is organizing The Reid & Taylor Indian Open Polo Championship An event management and marketing company for sports and lifestyle events, Equisport is the pioneer in the promotion of Polo and Equestrian sport in India
For further information contact:
Ratika Kohli
Mobile - 9810273494
Email: ratika@ratikakohli.com