ISLAMABAD
In a major boost to Pakistan’s polo calendar, the Lahore Polo Club has announced the EcoStar 49th Aibak Polo Cup 2026, a prestigious annual tournament held in honor of Sultan Qutb-ud-Din Aibak, promising top-class action and fierce competition.
The announcement was made during a press conference jointly addressed by Lahore Polo Club President Malik Azam Hayat Noon and DWP Group Director Taha Muhammad Naseem, who shared key details of the tournament.
The press conference was attended by several distinguished personalities, including Lahore Polo Club Executive Committee members Feroz Gulzar and Saqib Khan Khakwani, Club Secretary Maj Amjad Ghafoor, DWP EcoStar Marketing Head Shoaib Younus, club member Faisal Khan, international players Marcos Rivarola, Lao Abelenda, and Amirreza Behboudi, Master Paints Director Sufi Muhammad Haroon, along with umpires, officials, and a large number of polo enthusiasts.
Speaking on the occasion, Lahore Polo Club President Malik Azam Hayat Noon highlighted the historical significance of the tournament, stating that the Aibak Cup is held annually in honor of Sultan Qutb-ud-Din Aibak. He added that the 49th edition will be played as a 10-goal event, featuring five competitive teams: Master Paints, Diamond Paints, BN Polo, FG Polo, and SQ Seagold.
Malik Noon further said that each participating team includes international players, while foreign umpires and commentators have also been invited to ensure high professional standards throughout the tournament. DWP EcoStar Director Taha Muhammad Naseem said it was an honor to support the historic Lahore Polo Club, which has long played a key role in promoting polo as a prestigious and positive sport.
He emphasised that EcoStar strongly believes in the power of sports to promote positivity and healthy community engagement.
Iranian player Amirreza Behboudi said that the Aibak Cup marks the beginning of the high-goal polo season and described the Lahore Polo Club as a historic venue renowned for maintaining high standards of the game.
Meanwhile, an Argentine umpire visiting Pakistan for the first time expressed his admiration for the quality of the polo grounds and the overall standard of polo in Lahore.
