Serena Hotels Polo Cup 2017, President Body Guard Kalabagh-4 won the final beat defending champion
By.ASGHAR ALI MUBARAK
Islamabad-The President Body Guard Kalabagh -4 polo team won the 4th Serena Hotels Polo Cup 2017 beat defending champion ASEAN RED team in the final and lifts the polo trophy. Serena Hotels Polo Cup 2017 running Silver Trophy was awarded by the chief guest, Ambassador of France Martine Dorance to the winners. The Ambassador congratulated the winning and runners up teams and appreciated the Serena Hotels’ Sports Diplomacy Initiative continues to encourage sports as a way to provide opportunities to encourage cohesive bonds amongst different segments of society.
The five-day tournament began with preliminary matches between President Body Guard Kalabagh 4, Habib Metro Lions. Asean Black and Asean Red. President Body Guard Kalabagh 4 emerged as the victor in the final match.The final of 4th Serena Hotels Polo Cup 2017 was played between the two best teams of the country at Polo Club Ground Islamabad. The grand finale of the Serena Hotels Polo Cup 2017 drew an audience of more than 500 guests who thronged to the Islamabad Club Polo Ground for the exciting match between ASEAN RED and President Body Guard. Members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, heads of corporations and dignitaries, were delighted to attend the annual Polo Cup for the fourth consecutive year.The five-day tournament began with preliminary matches between PGB Kalabagh 4, Habib Metro Lions.The event was sponsored by Serena Hotels under the Sports Diplomacy Initiative which seeks to encourage sports as a healthy activity in Pakistan and aims to form a platform for the local community, corporate and development sectors, government officials and diplomats to share their love for sports. The audience, consisting of diplomats, government officials and businesspersons, came out in great numbers to watch the exciting final match. The festive ambiance was evident through the cheer and color. Polo is known as the game of kings; while the origins of Polo are lost in the mists of antiquity, historical records show that the Persians and Chinese have played variations for several thousand years. One of the most classic equestrian sports Serena hotels hosts the polo cup annually and the events is organized under the very active sports diplomacy initiative. The exuberant game was divided into seven minute Chukkars and end were changed after every goal. Mr.Aziz Boolani, CEO of Serena Hotels, said at this occasion that “Sports impact a plethora of public arenas, coincide with community values, and reaffirm key social values for athletes especially but also the spectators.Serena Hotels is proud to be associated with numerous sports initiatives which promote wellbeing and inclusion through healthy activities.”Mr.Aziz Boolani, stated that One of the most classic equestrian sports, Polo is a recognized Olympic sport and Serena Hotels hosts the Polo Cup annually.Serena Hotels’ Sports Diplomacy Initiative continues to encourage sports as a way to provide opportunities to encourage cohesive bonds amongst different segments of society. CEO Serena Hotel Mr. Aziz Boolani said ‘’Sports impact a plethora of public arenas, coincide with community values and reaffirm key social values for athletes especially but also the spectators’’, the Serena hotel is proud to be associated with numerous sports initiatives which promote wellbeing and inclusion through healthy activities. A grand prize distribution ceremony followed where the wining team of 4thSerena Hotels Polo Cup 2017 was awarded to President Body Guard Kalabagh 4 team by CEO Serena Hotel Mr. Aziz Boolani. It is mentioned here that the first polo match of the capital Islamabad was organized by Serena Hotels three year back. The exhibition match was took place at the beautiful Islamabad Club Polo Ground between the Serena Mustangs and Serena Warriors. Sports Diplomacy has emerged as an integral part of efforts to build ever-strengthening relations between nations. Sports diplomacy uses the universal passion for sports as a way to transcend linguistic and socio cultural differences and bring people together. Serena Hotels hold various events annually including Golf, Tennis, Polo, Football, Cricket and Squash. Serena Hotels in collaboration with the Pakistan Golf Federation and the Islamabad Golf Club already hosted the President of Pakistan 31st Gold Medal Golf Championship 2015 under the banner of their Sports Diplomacy Initiative. The Hotel annually hosts a Polo Cup Match, the Serena Hotels invitational Golf tournament, Cricket tournament and the Serena Hotels – Chief of the Air Staff Squash Champion ship; they also sponsored the President Gold Cup International Squash Championship 2015. For the first time the hotel sponsored Serena Hotels 1st Open Tennis Championship 2015having the richest prize money in the tennis circuit. During the end of the final of 4rd Serena Hotels Polo Cup 2017the guests were served refreshments with unique hospitably. The souvenirs like fancy Polo hats, T- shirts, Caps were also distributed by the organizer of the 4TH Serena Hotels Polo Cup 2017 among the media and guests. Polo is one of many sporting activities the hotels are involved in. Their active Sports Diplomacy Initiative has gained much traction in social, diplomatic and community circles. The Serena Hotels Sports Diplomacy Initiative is working actively to encourage and promote healthy activities through interaction amongst various segments of the society to enhance the social wellbeing and cultural development. Under its banner, Serena Hotels also host Polo, Cricket and Golf tournaments including the President of Pakistan’s Gold Medal Golf Championship. The grand finale of the Serena Hotels Polo Cup 2017 drew an audience of more than 500 guests who thronged to the Islamabad Club Polo Ground for the exciting match between President Body Guard and Asean Red. Members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, heads of corporations and dignitaries, were delighted to attend the annual Polo Cup for the fourth consecutive year.
The diplomats including the Kenyan high commissioner Prof.Julius Kibbet Bitok Bosnian Ambassador Nedim Makarevic, Palestinian Ambassador Walid Abu Ali, and Mangala and Jayanath from the Sri Lankan High Commission, the Austrian Deputy Head of Mission Lucas Bachmayer and dignitaries arrived in great number to watch the ‘’Game of Kings,’’ King of the games’’ along with their families. Serena Hotels sponsored this event under its Sports Diplomacy Initiative, which aims to promote healthy interaction amid various segments of the society and are committed to encourage and stimulate passion for sports amongst the youth of Pakistan. The participants appreciated the role of Serena Hotels for the promotion of healthy culture in Pakistan .they stated ‘’ through sports we can bring peace in the world’’ they thanked Serena Hotels for playing vital role in this regard. The event is sponsored by Serena Hotels under the Sports Diplomacy Initiative which seeks to encourage sports as a healthy activity in Pakistan and aims to form a platform for the local community, corporate and development sectors, government officials and diplomats to share their love for sports.
