Interesting Facts About Polo: Polo is a 2000-year-old game that originated in Persia. Ancient Polo was a cavalry training game that served in the Persian Army as the king’s guard or the elite of the elites. It is believed that the game Polo was first played between 600 B.C to 100 A.D and after that, it spread to Central Asia and then to India from Persia.
Nowadays, Indian Polo is an officially adopted sport by the Indian Army. It is a game of game of strategy, skill, and teamwork which is a sign of elegance and sophistication. In this article, we will discuss the 15 mind-blowing and interesting facts about Polo with its history in detail.
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15 Interesting Facts About Polo
Polo is the oldest recorded game that combines horse riding with exceptional precision in coordinating hand movements with visual stimuli. Here are 15 major mind-blowing facts about Polo as mentioned below.
Oldest Recorded Sports
Polo is one of the oldest recorded sports in history. It is a team game that started around 2000 years ago in Persia or present-day Iran. That time it was only a game of cavalrymen.
Played By Royal People
In the past, the game was played by the royal people including kings and high-ranking officials. It was a game of skill, power, and prestige.
Polo Ground
A Polo Ground can range between 300 to 1600 yards long and it can be wide around 150 to 300 yards. It creates a vast arena for the gameplay. Polo is generally a high-speed sport played on horseback. Players ride only specially trained and agile horses, reaching speeds of up to 30 miles per hour as they maneuver across the field.
Four Players Game
Each Polo team consists of four players. They work and play together to score goals and outplay their opponents in a strategic manner.
Unique Handicapping System
The handicapping system aims to level up the playing field by assigning each player a specific handicap. It is based on their skill and experience which makes this system more unique in nature.
The Traditional Polo Mallet
The polo mallets have a long handle with a wooden head that has a rubber grip. It allows the players to hit the ball effectively. These mallets are generally made of bamboo or different composite materials.
Divided Matches
Polo matches are divided into periods that are known as “chukkers.” Every match is played in six or eight chukkers. Every chukker lasts around seven minutes. It allows the players and horses to rest and make different strategies against opponents in between the rest.
Precise Teamwork and Coordination
In Polo communication is the major part. Players need to maintain continuous communication in an effective manner. With this, they anticipate each other’s moves to execute successful passes, shots, and defensive gameplays.
Argentina – The Fortress Of Polo
Argentina has a rich polo history. With football, they also promote so many world-class Polo players. The country’s love for this particular sport is deeply rooted in the country’s culture.
Polo Ponies
Polo ponies are full-sized actual horses that are small in stature. But they are really powerful in nature and famous for their endurance.
Federation of International Polo (FIP)
Polo has an international governing body. It is known as the Federation of International Polo (FIP). The FIP ensures the standards of the rules and regulations across the global polo community. The federation also organizes so many international tournaments.
Inspiration Of The Fashion Trends
Polo is a classy game. Its association with luxury and elegance has influenced fashion. It gives rise to stylish and timeless attire like polo shirts riding boots and much more.
Physically Demanding Sport
Polo is a really a physically demanding sport for players and horses both. This intense gameplay requires those players who can maintain excellent balance, strength, and stamina. On the other hand, the Polo horses must be agile, more responsive, and well-conditioned.
Promotes Sportsmanship and Camaraderie
The International Polo Tournament also promotes the values of the sportsmanship like fair play, and fostering positive relationships between different teams. It is a symbol of Sportsmanship and Camaraderie.
Few Rules About Polo Game
Like every spot, polo has a set of rules that promotes fair play. The object of the game is to score more points by hitting the ball into the opposing team’s goal while riding horses. Here are some major rules as mentioned below.
Chukkas
Matches are divided into short periods called chukkas, lasting about 7 minutes each.
Time Limit
Chukkas are timed based on how long horses can handle intense exercise, putting pressure on speed and agility.
Team and Participants
Matches typically have 4 to 6 chukkas with 10 players on the field – 4 riders per team and 2 mounted referees. A third referee helps settle disputes if the mounted referees can not agree.
Player Roles
Players do not have fixed positions but usually, two attacks, one defends, and one plays midfield.
Polo Is A Unisex Sport
Polo is a game where gender does not matter. In this game the skill is essential. Handicaps, ranging from two to ten goals, measure a player’s ability rather than gender. Throughout the season, these are adjusted to keep the game fair. Unlike other sports, polo does not concentrate on whether players are left or right-handed, but for safety reasons, most play right-handed. This ensures everyone, including the horses, stays safe during the fast-paced action. Imagine guiding a half-ton horse at 30 miles per hour with just a mallet—talk about coordination and skill that is incredible. Polo is a game of athleticism, strategy, and teamwork making it a thrilling sport for all involved.
Polo Has Set The Olympic Standard
Polo made its debut as an Olympic sport in the 1900 Summer Games. Polo used to be in the Olympics and was seen as a symbol of skill and grace. It started in ancient Persia and was loved for its mix of careful moves and strength. Playing needs you to be really good at riding horses and using a mallet. Even though it is not in the Olympics anymore, people still love playing in big tournaments. Polo is all about quick thinking and teamwork, and it is still a sport that lots of people admire and enjoy.
Polo Sport in India
The sport came from the east and got popular in India. British soldiers probably first learned it there. At first, they called it ‘hockey on horseback’. The Brithish Officers at Aldershot barracks set up the first recorded game in England in 1869 at Hounslow Heath.
- The first polo club in India was started in Silchar, Assam in 1834.
- The oldest one still active today is the Calcutta Polo Club, established in 1862 by two British soldiers.
- Polo played in the 19th century was slower and less aggressive compared to modern polo.
- Teams from Indian princely states were dominant internationally during this time.
- The Indian Polo Association (IPA) was established in 1892.
- Interest in polo declined during World War II due to changes in military tactics, but it was revived post-independence.
- The IPA organized events to promote polo, including inviting teams from Argentina and Pakistan to play in India.
- The Indian Army adopting polo as a sport further boosted its popularity.
- The IPA celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1992.
- Since then, polo has seen a resurgence in India, with 33 registered Polo Clubs and participation from both the military and civilian sectors.
- The IPA, managed largely by the 61 Cavalry Unit of the Indian Army, serves as the governing body for polo in the country.
Conclusion – 15 Interesting Facts About Polo
In 600 B.C, Persians and Turkomans played polo together and it was a game on horseback. In this the Turkomans won which was the first recorded polo game in history. John Watson was an Irish Captain in the British Cavalry’s 13th Hussars who made the first official rules for polo. It is also called the ‘Hurlington Rules’. These rules are still used today to play polo. Polo is now played in at least 77 countries and is gaining popularity again. Today we have learned about the 15 Mind-blowing Facts About Polo in details.
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FAQs – 15 Interesting Facts About Polo
Why is polo called polo?
The game’s English name derives from the Balti language, from its word for ‘ball’, polo. It is cognate with the Standard Tibetan pulu, also meaning ‘ball’.
What is a polo team called?
It is played between two teams of 4 players on horses, which are called polo ponies. The players try to score goals (points) by putting the ball in the goal.
What is a polo stick called?
Mallet. Also known as a stick, this is the tool used to hit a polo ball. The shaft of the mallet is usually made of bamboo so it can give or bend when swung, although graphite and fiberglass are als used. The head of the mallet is hardwood, usually ash or maple.
Where is polo most popular?
Polo is played all over the planet and over 50 countries worldwide are involved in the game. The dominant nations are Argentina, the USA and Britain, each of which has a thriving polo scene and industry.
Who is the king of polo?
Bulbul Jan, also known as the king of polo.
Which country invented polo?
A game of Central Asian origin, polo was first played in Persia (Iran) at dates given from the 6th century bc to the 1st century ad. Polo was at first a training game for cavalry units, usually the king’s guard or other elite troops.
Who is the father of polo?
Lieutenant (later Major General) Joseph Ford Sherer, the father of modern polo visited the state and played on this polo ground in the 1850s. Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India visited the state in 1901 and measured the polo ground as “225 yards long and 110 yards wide” 225 by 110 yards (206 by 101 m).