Naveen Jindal Advocates for Polo's Inclusion in India's 2036 Olympic Bid

Polo's Olympic Aspirations

On March 29, BJP Member of Parliament Naveen Jindal expressed his support for incorporating polo into India's ambitious plans to host the 2036 Olympic Games. He emphasized the need to revive the sport and pinpoint appropriate venues throughout the nation.

India is making significant strides in its quest to secure the rights to host the 2036 Olympics, with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) enhancing its athlete development programs to boost the country's medal count in future competitions.

During the Northern India Polo Championship final, where Jindal Panther faced off against Jaipur Achievers, Jindal highlighted polo's historical relevance in the Olympics and affirmed India's readiness to host the sport if it returns to the Games.

He pointed out that the Jaipur Polo Ground in Delhi is well-suited for major matches, including finals, should polo be included in the Olympic lineup. Jindal also mentioned that cities like Jaipur have robust polo facilities, while other locations could be upgraded to meet global standards.

"Our goal is to ensure that if the Olympics take place in India in 2036, polo is part of it. Polo was featured in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, and we have made significant progress since then. The Jaipur Polo Ground is the best venue in the country for this sport, and we have other grounds that we can enhance as well," he stated.

When discussing government support for the growth of polo in India, Jindal remarked, "We have the backing of the government. The Indian Polo Association (IPA) is recognized by the government, which provides us with necessary assistance. The polo season runs until March, and this match marks the end of the season before we resume in October."

In the match itself, Jindal Panther staged an impressive comeback to defeat Jaipur Achievers 9-8, with Juan Gris Zavaletta scoring the winning goal in the final moments.

The match was competitive from the start, with the first chukker ending in a 1-1 tie, thanks to an equalizer from Naveen Jindal. Panther took the lead in the second chukker, going ahead 4-2 through strong performances from Siddhant Sharma and Zavaletta.

However, Jaipur Achievers turned the tide in the third chukker, led by Alejo Aramburu, to take a 5-4 lead.

The fourth chukker saw Juan Zavaletta equalize for Panther at 5-5, but Achievers quickly regained control with two goals from Aramburu and Daniel Otamendi, extending their lead to 8-5 by the end of the fifth chukker.

In a thrilling final chukker, Jindal Panther rallied back, with Ramiro Zavaletta and Juan Zavaletta scoring to tie the game at 8-8. With only 29 seconds left, Juan Gris Zavaletta converted a penalty to secure a dramatic 9-8 victory, finishing as the top scorer with five goals, while Ramiro Zavaletta contributed two and Naveen Jindal added one.