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Polo swings big as ESPN re-ups with GPE and Chris Fowler saddles up
MUMBAI: When the world of high-stakes horseplay meets polished network sportscasting, you know something’s up. Global Polo Entertainment (GPE), the entertainment arm of USPA Global, has extended its historic relationship with ESPN through 2026, continuing its mission to put polo on prime time and give the sport a much-needed gallop into global relevance.
In what might just be the classiest team-up since caviar met toast, ESPN will again air top-flight polo events, including the U.S. Open Polo Championship®, the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship®, and the Gauntlet of Polo®. These majestic clashes will take place on the U.S. Polo Assn. Stadium Field One. Fans can catch them on ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN.com, and the ESPN App—a regular polo-palooza across platforms.
To stir the pot further, veteran ESPN broadcaster Chris Fowler has been confirmed to host the 2025 U.S. Open Polo Championship on 20 April. With nearly 30 years under his broadcasting belt, Fowler is no stranger to posh sporting drama. From college football to Grand Slam tennis and the Triple Crown, the man has seen it all—and now, he’s swapping gridirons and clay courts for polo fields.
“I’ve been a fan of the sport of polo for years, and now I’m excited to be part of the genuine polo experience by hosting the U.S. Open Polo Championship in front of what is expected to be the largest crowd to ever watch the pinnacle of the sport in North America,” said Fowler.
The expanded ESPN deal builds on the original 2022 agreement that gave polo a long-overdue global push. The partnership has already trotted the sport into millions of households across continents, bringing in fresh fans faster than a thoroughbred out the gate.
USPA Global president & CEO J. Michael Prince which oversees the multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand, praised the collaboration, “The addition of Chris Fowler to the U.S. Open Polo Championship broadcast team is a credit to the success of this groundbreaking relationship and serves to further drive the global momentum of the sport around the world.”
“We believe Chris aligns with the tradition, sophistication, passion, and global reach of our sport!” Prince added.
But there’s more than just galloping horses and glossy broadcasts. ESPN will also continue airing GPE’s slickly produced 25-minute specials under the award-winning Breakaway: Presented by U.S. Polo Assn. series. Upcoming episodes include Polo in the Palm Beaches, Women in Polo, Polo in College and the royally cheeky Polo in England. These episodes will gallop across international screens via StarSports, beIN Sports, and Times of India.
USPA chairman Stewart Armstrong echoed the enthusiasm, “The USPA is delighted with the long-term vision of the ESPN relationship and with the recognition polo is receiving from a new fan base around the world by watching polo on ESPN.”
With the U.S. Open Polo Championship set to be a galloping spectacle, and Fowler at the reins, 2025 might just be the year polo breaks from niche to mainstream. Saddle up, sport fans.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
