I would like to whole heartedly support the efforts
of the Royal Jaipur Polo Foundation(RJPF) and in particular
the hard work and dedication of my friend and younger
brother Maharaj shri Narendra Singhji.
Being from the long line of Rathores of the erstwhile
dessert kingdom of Jodhpur, I suppose Polo was part
of my destiny too! And when the young Crown Prince
Shivraj Singh of Jodhpur was playing at Eton in the
early 90's we remembered fondly the days of a bye
gone era when Rajput princes played on the hallow
lawns of the English Countryside.
I was fortunate enough to establish my own medium
to high goal Polo Team in England called the "Red
Lions", and in 2002 we won the 0-40 Goal Open
in Cirencester, Gloucestershire with an all Indian
Team the first time since the days of the Raj….over
60 years ago!. Further in 2003 HRH The Prince of Wales
honoured me in playing in my team to win the 15 Goal
- Chakrovarty Cup, at the Beaufort Club in one of
the most exciting matches I ever played in winning
only by ½ a goal in the final minute with the
Prize presented by HE The US Ambassador to the Court
of St.James, England.
Over the following years I played polo all over the
world, learning in Argentina at 'La Martina' the home
of Adolfo Cambiaso (presently the world's No.1 player)
and in 2000 with 'Bapji' HH Jodhpur watching the 40
Goal Argentine Open was a memorable trip.
I remember coming to India to play and see the rise
of the modern day game, and the dynamics of the teams,
players, sponsors and the Army…..young talented
players like Yuvraj of Kashmir, Kn Lockendra Singh
(+5), Kn. Vishal Singh(+5), Samir Suhag (+6), the
Ali and Kalaan Brothers (+6) and the Gentlemen of
the Army Polo Col.Bhawani Singhji, Col. Pirka Virk
.
But foremost I always remember the exuberance, charm
and great skill of the young Shivraj Singh of Jodhpur
(+3) who always affectionately called me "Dadabhai"(Elder
brother). His welcoming and revitalising of the game
in Jodhpur and overseas is now legendary and his love
and affection to me encourages me to still play and
support other young Indian players…..no one wishes
him a more speedy recovery from his polo accident
than I.
Indeed it was the young Maharaj Kumar of Jodhpur who
when I mentioned I'd like to support young, upcoming
Indian polo players recommended Kn. Raghavraj Singh
of Shivrati, Udaipur who went on to have 3-4 years
of Low & Medium goal at the prestigious Cirencester
Polo Club in Gloucestershire for the Red Lions Team,
culminating in his appearance in 2005 in the winning
team in the last polo game HRH Prince Charles played
before his retirement in my Red Lions Team at Cirencester.
I have seen Maharaj Narendra Singh improve in polo
from a standing start only 3 years ago! And now he
hits the ball better than me!!!, his enthusiasm for
the game and his team spirit and overall uplifting
sportsmanship have won him many friends across the
world and India could not in my opinion have a better
FIP's Ambassador! From his tours of Argentina, and
our visit to Italy in 2004 as the 'Royal Jaipur Team'
playing in 40 degrees in Rome to our successful Team
performance in Berlin in the summer of 2006 for the
Bentley Cup, the Royal Jaipur Team is making good
progress and friends all over.
It gives me great pleasure in lending my support to
this amazing sport and Foundation and I can only think
it will go from strength to strength in the years
ahead.
Km. Ajitsingh Medtia,
Grosvenor Square,
London.
