TTS Report :
Team BN Polo clinched the 5th President of Pakistan Polo Cup 2026 for the National Open Polo Championship – Finale after defeating FG Polo 4–3 in a penalty shootout in a rain-interrupted final played at Jinnah Polo Fields.
The championship, sponsored by Sarsabz and co-sponsored by Kingdom Valley, attracted a large crowd of spectators, polo enthusiasts and families who gathered to witness the highly-anticipated title clash.
The chief guest on the occasion was Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, who attended the final along with Mian Abbas Mukhtar and Managing Director of Kingdom Valley Ghulam Murtaza. Also present were Secretary of the club Major Adil Sultan Rao (Retd), prominent polo players, and a large number of polo lovers.
The final featured an exciting contest between BN Polo and FG Polo, with both sides fielding balanced teams with a combined handicap of 14 goals each. BN Polo’s lineup included Babar Naseem, Ibrahim Khalil, Argentine professional Tito Ruiz Guinazu and Lao Abelenda. FG Polo were represented by Amin Rehman, Mekayial Sami, Marcos Rivarola and Raul Laplacette.
FG Polo started the match on an aggressive note in the opening chukker. Mekayial Sami opened the scoring with a successful 30-yard penalty conversion before Raul Laplacette extended the lead with another penalty goal. Marcos Rivarola then struck a field goal to strengthen FG Polo’s position. BN Polo responded through Tito Ruiz, who scored a field goal to keep his side in contention by the end of the first chukker.
The contest intensified in the second chukker as Raul Laplacette added another 30-yard penalty goal for FG Polo. However, BN Polo mounted a strong comeback when Lao Abelenda produced two impressive field goals in quick succession. At the end of the second chukker the scoreboard stood at 4–3, but heavy rain began to pour, making the ground unplayable and forcing officials to halt the match.
As the rain continued and the field conditions deteriorated, the organisers decided to determine the winner through a penalty shootout. BN Polo kept their composure in the shootout, with Babar Naseem and Tito Ruiz successfully converting all four penalty attempts. FG Polo, however, faltered when Amin Rehman missed one of their crucial shots, allowing BN Polo to secure a narrow 4–3 victory and lift the coveted President of Pakistan Polo Cup title.
Following the match, Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan distributed prizes among the players and award winners. In the National Open category, Babar Naseem was named the most valuable player among local players, while Argentine star Tito Ruiz Guinazu received the most valuable player award among foreign players. The best polo pony award went to Babar Naseem’s mare ‘Dolfina Sigo’.
In the medium goal (4–8) category, Saqib Khakwani was declared the best player while Amin Rehman received the most improved player award. In the low goal (0–4) category, Hamza Mawaz Khan was awarded the best player and Abbas Mukhtar was named the most improved player.
Additional honours included the most improved player (-2 to 0 category) award for Umar Ashfaq, the best 0–2 goal player award for Ibrahim Khalil, most improved player (2–4 category) award for Raja Mekayial Sami and the emerging talent award for Dayan Butt. Special awards were also presented during the ceremony, with the spirit of polo award going to Sufi Muhammad Amir, while the MVP lady award was presented to Rabeel Hussain.
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