Highest prize money Polo tourney from tomorrow

New Delhi, Feb 15 (UNI) The Indian polo team will test its wares before the World Cup qualifiers as it takes on England and Spain in the three-nation Rs ten Lakh prize money tournament starting here from tomorrow.

The Johnnie Walker Trophy to be played on round-robin league basis is the highest prize money Polo tournament to be held in the country with the winning team assured of Rs four lakh cheque.

The runners-up will take home Rs two and half lakh while the third placed team will receive Rs one and half lakh.

The umpires will get Rs one Lakh each. The most valuable player and the Pony of the tournament will be awarded Rs 50,000 each.

India will field its probables shortlisted for the World Cup qualifier in the tournament.

''We have shortlisted nine probables for the World Cup qualifiers to be held in Auckland, New Zealand and it has been decided to field two teams in this tournament comprising of those players,'' National coach Pickle Sodhi told newspersons here today.

Sodhi said India will field a four-member team for the first match and another four-member team for the next year. ''It will help the selectors to pick up the final squad for the Qualifier''.

The nine probables are, Angad Kalan (Capt), Sameer Suhag, Manupal Godhara, Simran Shergill, Tarun Sirohi, Ravi Rathore, Jai Shergill, Abhimanyu Pathak and VishaL chauhan.

England will take on Spain in the opener and the loser of this match will face India in the next match. These two matches are slated to be played at Nicholsen Range while the final on February 18 will be played at Jaipur Ground.

''The tournament will provide us the much needed practice before the World Cup qualifier,'' said skipper Angad Kalan, adding,''We have a good team and win here will be a great morale booster for us.'' ''This event will give a big boost to the game in the country,'' he asserted.

In the five-nation World Qualifier to be played in Auckland from February 25 to March 4, two top teams will make it to the main tournament.

Apart from India other teams in the qualifier are South Africa, Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand.

The World cup is to be held in September either in Mexico or Argentina.

UNI