HISTORY – Royal Malaysian Polo Association | Royal Malaysian Polo Association

Polo matches between the Selangor and Singapore polo clubs began in 1903 and from 1905 a Selangor team traveled to Singapore to compete in an annual match for the King’s Own Regiment Cup, finally winning the trophy in 1911. That year also saw the relocation of the Selangor Polo Club to Kuala Lumpur where it was believed to have been housed at the British Military Administration’s property at Gurney Drive. Subsequently, the club relocated to the Selangor Turf Club at Ampang Road (site of today’s Twin Towers) where polo was played for many years in the centre of the race-course.

The Macdougall Cup

In the 1960’s, Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, granted the Selangor Polo Club a lease of 26 acres of state land amidst old, disused tin-mining pools in an area known as Ampang Hilir. In October of 1965, the new clubhouse was officially opened by the Tunku. In 2003, the Club’s patron, HRH Sultan Sharaffudin Idris Shah of Selangor, granted the club a Royal Warrant and it became officially known as Royal Selangor Polo Club.

In the 1990’s Royal Pahang started the Pahang Classic, and annual high goal tournament that brought the best players in the world to play at the Royal Pahang Polo Club at Pekan, Pahang.

Sultan Ahmad ShahThe Game of Kings attracts not only royalty but politicians, corporate leaders and diplomats. Members of the Royal families in Malaysia that have played polo include His Majesty Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang, H.R.H. Tengku Abdullah, Crown Prince of Pahang, Tengku Ibrahim, Crown Prince of Johor, Tengku Rahman, Tengku Muda of Pahang, and Tengku Ismail, the Raja Muda of Johor. Other prominent polo players are Dato’ Zulhasnan Rafique, Dato’ Dr. Jamaluddin Jarjis, Khairy Jamaluddin, Tengku Azlan ibni Sultan Abu Bakar, Raja Aman Shah bin Raja Shahar Shah, Tengku Syed Amir Abidin ibni Tuanku Syed Putra Jamullail, Dato’ Mohamad Moiz, Mazlan Dato’ Harun, Quzier Ambak, Shaik Reismann, Johan Indot and Peter Abisheganaden. Among the top Malaysian lady players are Daryl Yeap, Lim Sui Tin, Heidi Hamid and Karen Gan. However the majority of polo players have come from more modest beginnings and some of our best players have come from the ranks of our grooms.

Polo is experiencing a renaissance in Malaysia in the new millenium. The number of players has surged with many new players taking up the sport. The association now has nearly 200 registered players.

In and around Kuala Lumpur, polo is played four times a week, weather permitting, at four clubs – Royal Selangor Polo Club, Bukit Kiara Resort,

Tanamera and Putrajaya Equestrian Park. Polo is also played in the states of Johor, Pahang, Perak, Terengganu and Sabah.

Blessed with a longer than usual polo season, there are many tournaments. These include interclub tournaments, friendly tournaments and test matches, national and international tournaments. After many years of planning, the Royal Malaysian Polo Association started the RMPA International Polo Leagues in 2005