THE FEDERATION OF INTERNATIONAL POLO
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP VII, ZONE D – ASIA, AFRICA, OCEANIA
PLAYOFF TOURNAMENT UPDATE

On December 5, 2003 at the Lahore Polo Club in Pakistan the opening ceremonies of the FIP World Championship VII, Zone D Playoff tournament was the start of a very important and wonderful event for the world of polo. Pakistan was awarded the presentation of the Zone D Playoff Tournament that includes the countries of Africa, Asia and Oceania. Five countries entered teams in the tournament, Australia, Iran, Singapore, India, and Pakistan. The teams are made up of national players with handicaps of not less than 1 goal and not more than 5 goals.

Each team played all of the other teams. The two teams with the best record will go forward to represent their country in the FIP World Championship in Chantilly, France, September 9-19, 2004.

In the 8th game Australia won over Pakistan in a very close and well played contest. Australia having completed the tournament unbeaten qualifies to go to Chantilly for the finals next year. This left Pakistan and India tied for 2nd place, both having lost only to Australia and yet to play each other.

Pakistan and India played each other to determine the second team that will go to the finals. Approximately 7,000 people attended the game and were treated to the most exciting game of the tournament with Pakistan winning in sudden death overtime. The game was played extremely well and with excellent sportsmanship by all players. Before the sudden death overtime started, the teams wished each other good luck and may the best team win. A Pakistan player came up with the ball at the throw in, took one short hit out of the pack, one long ball to his player out front who took 3 nice shots to goal for a victory for Pakistan.

Singapore finished in 4th place and Iran in 5th place. All of the teams and players were most complimentary about how well the tournament was conducted. They were also complimentary to Iran whose players played well and were good sports representing Iran in the first entrance into international polo and claims to be the birthplace of polo.

Australia and Pakistan will join France, the host country, Brazil, the current world champion’s, and England, the Zone C winners at the World Championship VII in Chantilly, France, September 9-19, 2004.