Ten years ago, the final of the epic FIP Polo World Cup Zone D Playoffs, the Asian-Australasian-African championships were held. It was epic because it was the largest World Cup ever staged. Seven countries took part: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Nigeria, India and Pakistan joined Malaysia in making it the most countries in a playoff, and most successful World Cup ever staged.
The tournament was held at the Royal Pahang Polo Club in Pahang, with the finals at the Royal Selangor Polo Club in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysian recorded an historic win over New Zealand, but went out to India, the eventual winners. The team was made up of Shaik Reismann (3 goals), Huzaini Yunus (4), Edham Shaharuddin (4) and Tengku Shazril (2), with Amran Selamat (2) and Saladin Mazlan (3) in the squad as backups.
As tournament director, I was determined to ensure Malaysia not only produced a great tournament, but one that was as fair as possible for all countries. I introduced a few things that became standard for FIP tournaments.
- A photos and information about every horse. Every horse was given a number and photographed with it on. Every country received a CD with photos of every horse used in the tournament at the tournament draw. This meant that every country would be able to see that no horses were switched.
- Our Malaysian half chukka free change of horse rule was used for the first time in a FIP tournament. This is now a rule at every FIP tournament.
- Independent stewards for the welfare of horses. Malaysia first world cup to have stewards in the pony lines of every game to ensure that no horse was played more than it was supposed to, and that their welfare was protected.
Malaysia provided the hotel accommodation and meals at the Hyatt Regency in Kuantan, when the games were played in Pekan at the Royal Pahang Polo Club, and at the MiCasa All Suite Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, when the semi-finals and final was played at the Royal Selangor Polo Club. Each country was given six rooms.
In addition to team buses that had police outriders, teams and officials had 73 BMW cars and 6 Mitsubishi Tritons to use. Eurocopter also provided some flights for VIP’s from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan and back.
It was quite the tournament. We had a black tie dinner at the Hyatt, a beach party, countless makan kechils and even a few social events on the off days.
The polo was fast!
Malaysia, New Zealand and Nigeria went out in the group stages. India and Pakistan met in the final after defeating Australia and South Africa in the semi-finals.
The President of FIP, Eduardo Huergo attended the tournament. Other dignitaries on the final day included HRH Sultan Ahmad Shah, Sultan of Pahang, H.E. Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia, HRH Maharajah Gaj Singh of Jodhpur, India, and FIP Ambassador Ishaq Khakwani of Pakistan. Peter Yunghanns and Asad Jumabhoy also attended as Executive Committee Members of FIP at the time.
Armand Ali shot the tournament for us and created this video of his images. Have a look at this epic blast from the past.
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