Polo season
31 Oct, 2023
2023-24 Mumbai Season - Polo Prospectus
TENTATIVE DATES - Monday, 18th December 2023 To Sunday, 28th January 2024
| POLO TOURNAMENTS & SCHEDULE | The various tournaments with handicaps and other details as required are set out below for your information. |
4 Goal Monday 18th December to Saturday 23rd December, 2023 | The Finals will be on Saturday 23rd December, 2023. Entry fees Rs.4,000/- per team plus GST as applicable. No team will have more than one player whose handicap is + 4 goals or above. Only one foreign professional player allowed |
4 Goal Monday, 25th December to Saturday, 30th December 2023 | The Finals will be held on Saturday 30th December, 2023. Entry fees Rs.4,000/- per team plus GST as applicable. No team will have more than one player whose handicap is + 4 goals or above. Only one foreign professional player allowed |
6 Goal Monday, 1st January to Saturday, 6th January, 2024 | The Finals will be on Saturday 6th January, 2024. Entry fees Rs. 6,000/- per team plus GST as applicable. No team will have more than one player whose handicap is + 4 goals or above. Only one foreign professional player allowed. |
8 Goal Monday, 8th January to Snday 14thJanuary, 2024 | The Finals will be on Sunday 14th January, 2024. Entry fees Rs.8,000/ - per team plus GST as applicable. Only one foreign professional player allowed |
8 Goal – Monday, 15th January to Saturday, 20th January, 2024 | The Finals will be on Saturday 20thJanuary, 2024. Entry fees Rs.8,000/ - per team plus GST as applicable. Only one foreign professional player allowed |
4 Goal - Monday, 22nd January to Saturday, 27th January, 2024 | The finals will be held on, Saturday 27th January, 2024 Entry fees Rs.4000/- per team plus GST as applicable. The finals will be held on, Saturday 27th January, 2024 Entry fees Rs.4000/- per team plus GST as applicable |
| Dates to be decided | Out of The Hat Tournament Veterans Cup Beginners Cup Lawyers Invitation Cup Arena Polo Tournaments Juniors Cup (under 21) MG & G Area Cup Arty Cup Hansraj Mariwala Cup |
The above schedules and dates are Tentative and Preliminary. The Games / Finals can be shifted / re-arranged by the Tournament Committee at its discretion at short notice. The above schedule is also subject to Government restrictions, if any, as well as the Mumbai Racing Season.
| Rules | Tournament will be played under IPA rules & guidelines. All tournaments will be played under IPA rules and guidelines. All Polo players are requested to please go through the latest rules issued by the IPA. With regard to Covid-19 the latest MHA Guidelines, Sports Authority of India (SOP), IPA guidelines and Club guidelines will be strictly followed by players as well as their staff also. Copy can be found at the Club office. |
| Membership of IPA | The above tournaments are open to teams whose players are playing members of the IPA through a Club or Associations affiliated to the IPA. It is the duty of team managers, patrons and captains to ensure that all members of the team fulfill the above conditions failing which a team is liable to be disqualified at any stage. Foreign players need to carry proof of their handicap/umpiring from their Clubs or Association. |
| Foreign Players Handicap / Membership of IPA | Foreign players will require to adhere to the latest rules of IPA issued via letter dated 25th June 2023, with reference to their playing handicap and number of foreign players allowed to play per team. |
| Acceptance of Entries / Submission of Entries | All entries should be forwarded to the club a day before the draws along with entry fees in cash or demand draft or to debit their ARC account. The team entries should contain the name of the Team, the Captain the names of at least Three players with their Handicaps and Colours of the team. In \ case the Captain’s name is not specified the person signing the entry will be deemed to be the Captain of the team. In case of common colours or confusing colours IPA rules will apply and accordingly whichever team needs to change their colours will have to do so. For an entry to be valid / accepted by the ARC, the names of at least three members of the team will have to be mentioned in the entry and the total handicap of those three members must make the team eligible. Once entered the name of the Team cannot be changed without the permission of the Tournament Committee. Please note that no team entry will be accepted without payment of the entry fee. If any team withdraws from the Tournament after the draws are made, the team and / or its patron(s) may be banned from playing any other Tournament. |
| Draws | Draws normally will be held at least 24 hours prior to the commencement of each tournament or as informed by the Tournament Committee. All team Captains are requested to be present. If an Institution / Patron fields more than one team in a tournament, and gives a request for placing the teams in two different halves, the same may be considered. |
| Withdrawal of Teams from Tournament | No team is permitted to withdraw / give walk over once the lots for the draw for any tournament have been drawn. Teams withdrawing will be fined an amount of 50,000/- (Rupees fifty thousand only) which will be paid prior to the team’s next match, whether in the same tournament or the subsequent tournament or any subsequent season under aegis of IPA. |
| Substitution | Once the draw of a tournament has been made, any change in the lineup of a team shall be governed by the IPA rules on substitution. Substitution in any situation can only be made by informing the match umpires. In case two teams are entered under the same name, change of players from one team to another will not be permitted. A minimum of three players will need to be entered in the team prior to draw. The total handicap of the three players of a team should meet the handicap requirement of the tournament. All rules of substitution will be as per rules of the IPA as per the mtg dated 25th June 2023. |
| FINAL DECISION | In all matters of dispute either technical or otherwise, the decision of the Tournament Committee will be final and binding on all players. The Tournament Committee consists of the following: - Ar. Riyhad Kundanmal / Mr. Shyam Mehta / Mr. Rahul Dwarkadas / Mr. Shyam Mariwala / Mr. Mitesh Mehta & Mr. Simran Shergill |
| Officials (Umpires & Referees) & Players | As per IPA Rules, no team can dispute the nomination of Umpires / Referee as done by the Tournament Committee IPA Rule G I & I. |
| Umpires | Based on Umpiring grade of players (approved by IPA) participating in the tournament (or those available and not playing), a group of Umpires will be nominated by the Tournament Committee. Preferably, for 10 goal tournaments, all matches will be officiated by Grade ‘A’ Umpires only. In case adequate Grade ‘A’ umpires are not available, the Tournament Committee shall take the decision on considering the grade of umpires who shall officiate. Any nominated player refusing to Umpire / Referee a match will be fined a sum of 5,000/- (Rupees five thousand only) and IPA will be intimated of the default for initiating suitable action. |
| Nomination of Umpires | The Captain of each team will nominate at least two graded players from their team to be detailed for umpiring at the time of entry / draw it-self. |
| Turn Up of Umpires | Umpires should be ready to start the game 10 minutes before the game is scheduled to start. An umpire not reporting or reporting late for any game will be penalized with a fine up-to Rs. 5,000/- (plus GST) and may be banned from playing the rest of the Tournament or even the next Tournament. |
| Dress Code | As per IPA rule (G 11.2) both umpires detailed for the games must wear knee length Polo boots and white breaches / Jeans, helmets while umpiring. Defaulters will be fined by the Tournament Committee. Players will be required to strictly adhere to the safety & dress code on the field and at the time of the prize distribution. |
| Provision of mounts for Umpires | It will be the duty and the responsibility of the teams playing the match to provide horses for the Umpires. All teams will therefore bring extra horses and those horses be ready in time and will have boots / bandages on all four legs for safety. Trained ponies who would be safe and well behaved to allow the umpires to concentrate on the game in accordance with IPA field Rules F-4. |
| Referee | Coordinators of the Tournament will detail a suitable Referee for all matches who have adequate knowledge of the game. As the task of the Referee in the game is very important, he / she is at liberty to brief the Umpires before the start of the match so as to ensure smooth conduct of the match, and should an occasion arise when he / she feels that the umpiring is not up to the mark, call and brief the umpires any time, during the match. |
| Start of Match / Interval between Chukkers | Umpires /Referee / Players will ensure that they are on the ground well before the start time of the polo match so that games can be started on time. A team is liable to be scratched out if it is not ready to start within the prescribed time of scheduled start of the game. The duration of intervals allowed under IPA Rules G9(a) must be strictly adhered to (i.e. 3 minutes between chukkers and 5 minutes at half time) Umpires must start the game immediately after the interval, notwithstanding the fact whether all players are present on the field or not. |
| Polo Ground Restrictions | To maintain safety on the ground & integrity of the ground conditions, the Polo field will open only 15 minutes prior to each game for a warm up to the teams immediately playing the game. The ground will be closed to all other players / riders, before during and after the game is over. Any person(s) found riding on the Polo Ground before, during or after the game(s) or at any other time, will be penalized Rs. 5000/- for the first offence, and thereafter, will not be permitted to use the ground for the remainder of the Tournament. Teams / Captains / Patrons / Players are requested to strictly adhere to this rule. |
| 3 Point Helmet Enforcement | All polo players and hereby advised that the Indian Polo Association amended its rules pertaining to the use of Polo Helmets and has recommended that the 3 Point International Helmet Safety Standards should be adopted with immediate effect and that this would be enforced effective January 01, 2019 as stipulated by the The Amended Rule 3 reads as follows: Helmets (Ref Rule G.II.1): With effect from 01 Jan 2019 – All players will ensure that their helmets are of the new safety standards and are secured by a 3-point harness chin strap. |
| Exhibition Match(s) | ARC will consider recommendations of the sponsors for nominations of players and officials for Exhibition Matches, but the final decision with regard to the team formation will be at the discretion of the ARC Polo Committee. ARC in this regard would like to encourage many of its younger members and will reserve the right to select players. |
| Objections | All Objections or any point not covered by the above Rules, can be lodged / referred by Team Captains / Patrons in writing with reference to the Rule as prescribed in the IPA Rule Book, to the Hon. Secretary / Tournament Committee within 2 hours before the commencement of the match and within half an hour of the announcement of results/ end of play along with a fee of Rs.3000/- (GST as applicable) which has to be given to the Hon. Secretary (ARC) / Tournament Committee along with the objection(s). The fee of Rs. 3000/- will be refunded if the objection is upheld. The decision of the Tournament Committee will be final and binding. |
| Prize Distribution Ceremony | To avoid undue delay and embarrassment to the Chief Guest / Dignitaries, Sponsors and Guests, ALL Players / Umpires are requested to dismount on the ground near the forward ‘T’ itself after each Final of every Tournament / Exhibition match and come directly for the prize distribution. The grooms can be directed to come on the ground to hold the horses. The players and Umpires are required to be in the proper polo playing attire. No person(s) unless invited by the Polo Committee will be permitted to be present on the Podium during the Prize Distribution Ceremony. |
| Registration of Ponies with IPA | Polo ponies not registered with IPA will not be allowed to participate in the tournament. Teams are liable to be disqualified if having played on a non- registered pony. |
| Holding and return of Cups / Trophies | Trophies / Cups won by the teams are “Heritage Property of ARC” and not permitted to go beyond the Club’s custody. |
| Polo Etiquette & Decorum | Players are requested to behave appropriately with the other players/ umpires on the field. The Stewards of the IPA have taken this with a serious view. We would like to advice all players to display the true spirit of sportsmanship and ensure gentlemanly conduct on the ground. Stern action will be taken against defaulters including recommending to the IPA/Stewards for a complete ban from all polo activity for up to one year, or as decided by the Tournament Committee. |
| Insurance Cover | It is recommended that all players and /or their horses have insurance against any injury sustained while riding or playing Polo at the Amateur Riders’ Club grounds. No insurance of any kind is offered / covered by the ARC, its Managing Committee or the Tournament Committee. |
| Discretion | The Tournament / Managing Committee reserves the right to amend add or delete any of the above terms and conditions. Matters / objections not mentioned / elaborated in the prospectus for the season or IPA rule book will be dealt at the discretion of the Tournament Committee of the Amateur Riders’ Club. |
| Opening & Closing of the Camp | The Camp will open tentatively around 15th November 2023 the final date to be decided for all contingents. All contingents are requested that they should enter the race course between 10.00 am and 10.00 pm, it is recommended to avoid Race days for the day of arrival. The camp will close 10th April 2024. If horses are not removed from the camp within 7 days of the notification date, the Owner/ Player or Member/ Patron responsible will be charged an amount as determined by the Managing Committee of ARC. |
| Camping Facility for Horses | Camping Facility for Horses: ARC has designated an area for stabling of visiting contingents (ARMY & CIVIL) near the Mile gate next to the Swimming Pool. All teams, Civil players / Contingents and Army contingents coming to participate in the Mumbai Polo Season 2023-2024 must be self-contained in every respect & should bring / arrange tents, equipment for camping of staff, storage of feed, etc. The charges by the ARC for each stable will be Rs. 5500/- (including Taxes, Cartage, Electricity, Camp lights and Water) for the entire season, which will have to be paid in advance along with the number of stables required by them latest by 1st November, 2023. In case players bring their own tents, ground rent of Rs.2500/- (including Taxes, Water, Electricity, and Cartage) will be charged. Fans will not be provided in the stalls and players will have to make their own arrangements, Players using a fridge/ freezer /AC will be charged for electricity at Rs.1000 per unit/ month. Charges for camping will have to be paid in advance, failing which the horses will not be allowed to enter the camp. Players with any outstanding’s for any previous year will not be provided any camping facility or entry into the club unless the prior outstanding’s are cleared. Players may use stables / set up their camp only as allotted to them by the Club. Electrical fittings /plug points have to be procured by Members/Patrons or can contact Club’s Electrician Mr. Anand Singh on mobile no. 9820133649. No amount will be refunded once the stable requirement is confirmed and full payment shall be taken, even if the stalls / grounds are not occupied. For the requirement of fans in the Camp area, kindly contact Mr. Zain Ali on 9819863874. The area where the camp can be set up and the space that will be allocated to set up the camp for each player / contingent / Army team will depend on the no. of horses and will be allocated by ARC or its representative. No camp can be set up without approval. All Team / Patrons are, therefore requested to inform the club by 1st November, 2023 as to how many horses they intend to bring and allotment of space will be done accordingly to all contingents. If a contingent has a request for combined stabling the same will be considered, if possible. No Contingent will be allowed to get any electrical work / wiring done directly or by any other person except the Amateur Riders Club appointed Electrician(s). This is to ensure their safety and the safety of the staff and horses camped in the stabling area. Disposal of litter / garbage will be arranged by the Club. |
| Usage of the Club House & Canteen facilities by the visiting Players / Teams | All visiting players may use the Club House and Canteen facilities and will have to pay directly by cash / card for food, snacks and beverages. Timings notified at the Clubhouse. |
| Outstanding duesOutstanding dues | Visiting players with any outstanding towards the club will not be allowed to use the club facilities or play in the tournament unless the same is cleared. |
| Accommodation for army teams | All army teams will need to be self-contained. All assistance will be provided by the local formation HQ, Maharashtra Gujarat and Goa Area, and Mumbai Sub- Area in the establishment of the Camp, attachment for rations and canteen facilities. Accommodation for Officers and Contingent officials will be arranged in Army messes under arrangements of HQ, Mumbai Sub -Area (Q Br). Officers wishing to bring families MUST inform the Mumbai Sub-Area (Q Br.) beforehand for making such arrangements and take their approval to avoid any inconvenience. Transport will be arranged to officers for one trip daily from residence to the camps/polo ground, team-wise by MSA / ARC. |
| Indemnity Bond | All players are required to fill in the Indemnity Bond and furnish details as required prior to riding at the Amateur Riders’ Club. Appendix “A” |
| Addresses and contact details | All teams / players participating in the Polo Tournament are required to give their complete contact details such as address with telephone numbers. Next of kin contact details to be provided. |
| Coggins / Glanders Test / Equine Influenza Vaccine | All rules and instructions issued by the EFI, Remount Veterinary Directorate, Army Headquarters and RWITC on the subject will be strictly adhered to by all concerned. All horses must produce a valid negative EIA and Glanders status (CFT) certificate on arrival at ARC as per directions given. Appendix “B” to this Prospectus Coggins and Glanders negative certificate with a validity of a minimum of 15 days on arrival and exit of horses from the camp is mandatory. Equine Influenza Vaccination: Every horse must be duly vaccinated with the Calvanza / fluvac innovator vaccine for horses those are being vaccinated for the 1st time, 3 dosages for Clavanza or 2 dosages for fluvac with a gap of 21 days between each dose are required. Horses already vaccinated will require an annual booster dose. Horses without this vaccination will not be allowed to enter the Amateur Riders’ Club / RWITC premises. |
| Medical Protocol requirements for all horses issued by Amateur Riders’ Club / RWITC Premises | Every horse should be accompanied by the following valid Veterinary Documents: - - Identification Certificate or Passport along with vaccination record. - All rules and instructions issued from the EFI and Remount Veterinary Directorate, Army Headquarters on the subject will be strictly adhered to by all concerned. All horses must produce a valid negative EIA and Glander status (CFT or Mallein) certificate on arrival in Mumbai. Coggins and glanders negative certificate with a validity of a minimum of 15 days on arrival and exit of horses from the camp is mandatory, (Glanders validity 30 days, EIA validity 120 days). - Every horse must be duly vaccinated with the Calvanza /innovator fluvac innovator vaccine. For horses who are being vaccinated for the 1st time, 3 dosages for Clavanza and 2 dosages for fluvac with a gap of 21 days between each dose is required. Horses already vaccinated will require an annual booster dose. - Proof of Pneumobort – K Vaccination (only for horses coming from within Maharashtra itself) Those horses got fluvac innovator vaccine do not require pneumobort - Health Certificate of the horse (Authorized Vets for Certifying: State Veterinary Officer active, Army Veterinary Office active, Panel Vet (RWITC) Registered). -Declaration Letter from the owner (on his letterhead) stating where the horse was stabled in the last 60 days before proposed entry into ARC / Mahalaxmi Race Course, Mumbai. Note: To avoid difficulties to your animal, we strongly suggest that all above named documents be, prior to loading of the horse, sent in advance to the ARC office by email. Upon examination of the same, and only once clearance is given in writing by email, you may send your horses here so as not to cause any unnecessary inconvenience or problems for all practical purposes. |
| Veterinary Doctors Services | Club vet will be available on duty. Contingents should have their own Farriers and Dressers. |
| Medical Arrangements | A Medical Officer along with an ambulance will be available at all games and also during morning practice. In the morning the injured cases may be attended to by the RWITC medical officer. The ARC and or the Medical officer however will not be responsible for any action following first aid/treatment rendered to the players on/off the field. Participating players/riders will fill in the Indemnity Bond attached with the prospectus prior to riding playing any game at the ARC. |
| Correspondence / Communication | All correspondence / communication pertaining to the 76th Annual Horse Show and Polo Tournaments shall be addressed to the Hon. Secretary / Acting Secretary, Amateur Riders' Club, Keshavrao Khadye Marg, Mahalaxmi Mumbai 400 034. Some important telephone numbers of the Amateur Riders' Club are: Mr. Shyam Mehta - 98200 38287 Mr. Riyhad Kundanmal - 98202 86821 ARC Office: Acting Secretary - 75060 83987 / (Ms. Aarti) 70456 48991 Dr. Adnan Shabir Khaki - 7204121791 ARC, Vet Dr. Harnoor Dawra - 9779958234 ARC, Vet Mr. Mitesh Mehta - 9820473337 Mr. Mubarik Ali Mob - 9214303918 Camp in Charge - 8000169108 E-mail: office@arcmumbai.com Website: www.amateurriders.club Ambulance Service – |
| No Objection Certificate / Exit Pass for exit of horses | All players are required to obtain a No Objection Certificate / Exit Pass from the Club Office during working hours/ days (9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.). The NOC / Exit pass will only be issued once all accounts are cleared. No horses will be allowed to leave the Race Course unless they have obtained the No Objection Certificate / Exit Gate Pass from ARC. |
| Security deposit for outstation players | All outstation polo players/patrons of outstation players bringing horses must clear previous bills, if any before arrival. Outstation players bringing horses must make an advance payment via NEFT of Rs.50,000/- as security deposit towards fodder, feed, medicines, canteen facilities etc. availed at ARC. |
Bank details as follows
| Account Holder Name | AMATEUR RIDERS' CLUB |
| Account Holder Address | MAHALAXMI RACE COURSE, GATE NO.8, KESHAVRAO KHADYE MARG, MUMBAI 400 034 |
| Account No. | 00051450000154 |
| Bank Name | HDFC BANK LTD. |
| Bank's Address – Branch City | BHULABHAI DESIA ROAD, MUMBAI 400 026 |
| Type of Account | SAVINGS |
| RTGS/NEFT/IFSC Code No. | HDFC0000005 |
| Email Id | arc2acct@gmail.com |
Refunds will be credited to their account after one month.
Outstation players not making the above payments will not be permitted to enter the Club or its premises or be permitted to bring their horses or play in the tournaments.
| Attachments for your information | Appendix A - Indemnity Bond Appendix B - Sample of Health Certificate / Sample of Identification Certificate / Sample of Declaration Certificate (Please contact the Club office for Bond Formats) |
Sd/-
Hon Secretary
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