Exclusive | 'Thank God, the PBG is back!': The President’s Bodyguard and its storied legacy of polo
Set against the historic President’s Bodyguard (PBG) Parade Ground, the President’s Polo Cup celebrates a cherished legacy. Firstpost looks at the PBG's historic association with the sport of polo, iconic players, and inspiring outreach initiatives as the event highlights the resurgence of polo’s cultural and competitive significance in India
Trouble in opposition to the ancient President’s Bodyguard (PBG) Parade Floor, the President’s Polo Cup celebrates a cherished legacy. Firstpost looks at the PBG’s ancient association with the sport of polo, iconic gamers, and provoking outreach initiatives as the event highlights the resurgence of polo’s cultural and competitive significance in India
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 "Appealing | 'Thank God, the PBG is serve!': The President’s Bodyguard and its storied legacy of polo")
Equestrians from the President's Bodyguard led by Colonel Amit Berwal, commandant of the PBG (factual) may be considered giving a utilizing salute to the group at the President's Polo Cup held at the President's Bodyguard Parade Floor in New Delhi, December 14, 2024. Firstpost/Anmol Singla
Within the heart of national capital, nestled at some level of the ancient precincts of the President’s Property, lies the cradle of Indian polo — the President’s Bodyguard (PBG) Parade Floor.
On 14 December, 2024, this storied venue hosted the iconic President’s Polo Cup, attended by none rather than the President Droupadi Murmu.
The annual polo exhibition match gave Firstpost a risk to firsthand explore India’s equestrian heritage, the legacy of the PBG and their unparalleled contribution to Indian polo.
In our first characteristic, we explored the fundamentals of polo and its growth potential in India, following which our second characteristic centered on the position of the 61st Cavalry in sustaining the sport’s legacy.
Now we delve deeper into the sport and it’s ancient reference to the senior-most regiment of the Indian Navy.
The President’s Polo Cup
Established in 1975, the President’s Polo Cup mercurial turned one of the principal principal prestigious tournaments in the nation. Open to teams with a minimal handicap of 10 objectives, it showcased the most attention-grabbing polo ability in India.
The inaugural event, held in February 1975, became attended by then-President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed and Begum Abida Ahmed. For three decades, this match flourished beneath the stewardship of the PBG, turning into a trademark of excellence in Indian polo.
Nonetheless, in 2004, the Indian Polo Affiliation (IPA) transitioned from the President’s Bodyguard to the 61st Cavalry, and the Cup noticed an premature hiatus in 2005.
Reviving this cherished tradition, the PBG organised the main President’s Polo Cup Exhibition Match in 2013. This annual event has since become a cornerstone of the ‘Delhi Tumble Polo Season’, offering a spectacle of equestrian ability and competitive spirit whereas reinforcing the PBG’s ancient ties to the sport.
Jai Shergill, a member of the IPA and a national selector for the Indian polo group, echoed this sentiment, telling Firstpost, “The PBG has always been a part of polo. The PBG group has been so solid over time. And there’s absolute self belief, that the PBG are peaceful very noteworthy a part of polo.”
Reviving a sporting tradition
The PBG’s Parade Floor has long been a breeding floor for Indian polo ability. As Simran Singh Shergill, a +3 handicap participant and 2019 Arjuna awardee, reminisced, “I’m very elated and genuinely proud to play this sport. I believe numerous respect and various appeal in direction of the bodyguard [PBG] which capability that of I’m a product of the bodyguard as my father commanded this prestigious regiment."
“For the years that my father became right here, I became lucky ample to derive a taste of the sport and later on play polo more and switch out to be an professional polo participant. This residing the attach we’re standing is in the heart of the metropolis,” Simran told Firstpost.
President Kovind confers Arjuna Award, 2019 upon Shri Simran Singh Shergill for his achievements in Polo .
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