The 10-goal Sternhagen Polo Cup raised the spirit of Polo in full flare under the guidance of Chirag Parekh, the founder of the Cup. After an exciting match that was followed by a typical Mumbai night party, Chirag Parekh sat in conversation with LA POLO. We captured him candidly and here is a glimpse of it.
LA POLO: Everyone has heard you say that Polo brought speed to your business. How exactly did that happen and even starker is the fact that how did Polo come in the way of a businessman?
CHIRAG PAREKH: For me, Polo has changed my life. The sport needs a lot of guts to get on the horse and then Polo, all in all, is a different game. You need a lot of courage, and it all comes from the core. With Polo, you develop guts, power, and courage. I think it relates to the business side because then you start taking the risk in business too. Polo brings a lot of energy in me, it makes me a very sporty young man that is bound to take challenges everywhere.
LA POLO: For quite some time now, you have been into the subtle art of bringing Polo to the masses. Champions Polo League is one such example. But Polo is still the sport of the royals that caters to a specific audience. How difficult is it for a sport like that to achieve the aim you have?
CHIRAG PAREKH: Polo is a luxury sport but we did a Champions Polo League. We did a shorter form of the game. We had in Gujarat like 20000 people, and we had 10 teams participating. What we did, we made the ground smaller. We conducted it during nighttime when everyone is free. We made a shorter game, a faster format, which is a more spectator-friendly format. I think, this kind of shorter format, still believe, has to come in. Luxury can stay where it is but you can also develop a new kind of game format where it attracts the masses.
“The only one thing
that comes
between me and my horse
is a saddle.”
LA POLO: Why Polo and not any other sport?
CHIRAG PAREKH: For me, it was only Polo because I love horses. I think as I say, there is only one thing that comes between me and my horse a saddle.
LA POLO: What do you wish to achieve from the Sternhagen Polo Cup?
CHIRAG PAREKH: This is our second year and I can see it being better. I also want to thank LA POLO, they were a tremendous support in this as an associate partner. LA POLO did an amazing job. I want to thank Ferrari and Navnit Motors. We also got some foreign DJs coming in to play. I think the whole atmosphere here is fantastic, and I think for our brand Sternhagen which is a luxury brand, Polo relates. I believe in getting the cup better and better every year.
LA POLO: Any other future projects that you foresee introducing in Polo?
CHIRAG PAREKH: No, I think I did a lot with the Champions Polo League and Sternhagen. Now I am going to take in a deep breath and enjoy my Polo. I just want to build my brand Sternhagen.
LA POLO: Coming back to you as Chirag Parekh, how do you differentiate between Polo and your business?
CHIRAG PAREKH: One thing is very clear, I have drawn a line where Polo cannot enter my business. I have sponsored four tournaments, but I did not play a single one. So it is kind of obvious because I don’t have time. But whenever I have time, I will play. Said that it will always be my business that will come first.
