Where the first polo goal was scored

In 1958, fascinated by a game called ‘Sagol Kangjei’, played by locals in Silcher (Manipur), two British soldiers Captain Robert Stewart and Major General Joe Shearer brought the sport to Calcutta.

In the following years, the Calcutta Polo Club (CPC) took a formal shape, gradually spreading the passionate equine sport across the world. Today, when polo is played in over 70 countries, the CPC holds the distinction of being the oldest polo body in the world.

Every year, the club stages the oldest ever polo tournament, the Ezra Cup, which took off from 1880. Other tournaments of the club from the early days include the Carmichael Cup, presented in 1910 by Lord Carmichael, the governor of Bengal, the Shearer Cup, being staged from 1932, the Darbhanga Cup and finally, the Bangur Polo Masters.

Together with CPC members, these tournaments are open to polo players from around India and the world. Incidentally, the CPC is located in the middle of the racecourse, with the famed Victoria Memorial overlooking the polo grounds, known as the Pat Willamson Ground. Pat Williamson was one of the club’s presidents and the polo grounds were named in his memory in 1951.

“There’s a bit of confusion over the date of formation of the Calcutta Polo Club, although history says it was in the year 1862. Since polo is played during winters in December-January every year, it may have been in 1861-62. That’s why we are planning to celebrate the 150th year of the club in end-2011,” says Keshaav Bangur.

Fifty-year-old Bangur is not only president, but is a keen polo player himself and has been a member of the club since age five. He is also chairman and managing director of BFL Corp which ploughs in 80% of the funds required to run the club every year.

“From the mid-nineties, the club started facing financial problems and went into cold storage. Initially, the Army was approached to take over the club but they declined. I took over the president’s reins in 2005-06,” informs Keshaav. A presentation about the club was made to then army chief Gen JJ Singh. This was because the CPC, despite being a civilian outfit, functioned on grounds, which belong to the army.

“Gen Singh agreed that the club boasted of a heritage background and all efforts should be made to restore it to its earlier glory. In turn, instructions were passed on to the Eastern Command and Major General PK Mehta, who was in charge then, was extremely generous in extending support to us,” says Keshaav.

Interestingly, 70% of the 120 members at present are students (school and college), while the rest are corporate executives and government officials. The city, today, sports 20 polo players. This year, CPC is sending a team to Jodhpur to participate in the annual tournament there. “Normally, it was the other way round, with teams coming from outside,” says Keshaav.

Prince Charles, Prince Edward and the Sultan of Brunei, among others in the royalty, have played at the CPC. The club was a favourite haunt of Maharani Gayatri Devi. This is where she met Sawai Man Singh, the maharaja of Jaipur who she was later married to.

“We would invite her for three days and she would stay back for ten days,” informs Keshaav. Bangur is also trying to invite a member of the British Royalty for the finals in Calcutta, given their strong connection with the club during the Raj days, which is evident in various writings of the time. “It could be either Prince Charles, Prince William or Prince Harry. This hasn’t been frozen yet,” says Bangur.

A coffee table book on the CPC is also on the anvil. CPC is also in talks with some major overseas corporates to rope them in to create merchandise revolving around the club brand. This would range across various features associated with the CPC, including sports gear used by players in the club.

“We don’t intend to enter the merchandising trade. We will lend our brand to a renowned international corporate label, which is interested in marketing merchandise linked to the CPC. We are also trying to invite the President or the Prime Minister to launch a new CPC logo. My whole aim is to take the CPC back to its splendour,” Bangur drives home.