At the age of 34, you are the highest-ranked polo player in all of Asia. Tell us a little about how you developed an interest in polo and got into this sport as a professional player.
Polo has been in my family for almost a century, my great grandfather played, my grandfather, my father and now me. I started riding at three and playing polo at the age of eight.
How did you get the name Namoo?
As a child, I couldn’t pronounce my name, thus ‘Namu’ came about!
You have represented Pakistan in World Cup Tournaments as well. Tell us about that experience and the camaraderie you share with international polo players.
I represent Pakistan at every opportunity I get, whether I’m officially representing the country or not. However, when you officially play for Pakistan, that is one of the best feelings in the world, and when you win, that feels the greatest. I love interacting with players from different backgrounds, to come together to make a strong team and the team work and support that goes into playing a single game of polo is indescribable. How people play at a professional level also tells you a lot about the people in general, and everyone I have played with so far have not only been incredible players but incredible people as well. I feel blessed in that sense.
You have the highest handicap of any Pakistani polo player of the last 30 years and have won many tournaments, including the Royal Windsor Cup. Which according to you has been your biggest achievement till date?
I think definitely winning The Coronation Cup and winning The St Moritz Snow Polo cup!
“When you officially play for Pakistan, that is one of the best feelings in the world, and when you win, that feels the greatest”
You are on the board of directors at the Guards Polo Club and are also a part of the HPA – handicapping committee in England. Do you think Pakistan also needs similar polo committees to encourage aspiring polo players?
I think the Lahore Polo Club has a committee and the club and the players only get better each year. I think the club has to encourage young players and that is something they actively do. It is also my duty as a professional to mentor and guide whoever comes to me for help and it’s actually one of my favourite things to do when I do get that opportunity.
How in your opinion can the sport evolve in Pakistan? How can we promote it among the masses?
If you have seen a match at the Lahore Polo Club you will see when people come to watch the matches, how much they enjoy themselves. The game attracts people from all over town, and they genuinely have a fantastic time. You can tell that by the way they cheer and chant! I think the sport needs a lot of awareness. Once awareness is created, we can promote it more actively amongst the masses. Polo worldwide is quite a niche sport, but in Pakistan specifically I think it has a lot of potential to be bigger than it already is.
Which sports do you enjoy playing other than polo?
Golf! I play it almost every day; early morning when I am in Lahore.
What does it mean to be Pakistani for you?
It’s the country I grew up in and I’m so proud to be from this part of the world! Our people are hardworking, genuine and our hospitality is like no other. I like to highlight this as often as I possibly can.
What is your fitness routine?
I ride almost daily and like to run. More recently have been weight lifting. Eating healthy is a must.
Your Team Commonwealth recently won the Coronation Cup in London, where the duke of Edinburgh presented you with the trophy. Tell us about that experience. How challenging was the win?
It was probably one of the hardest matches I have played so far but the adrenaline rush playing this level of polo is addictive, I would do it all over again if I could! We played against some of the best players in the England and our team consisted of the best players from their respective as well so you can just imagine how challenging that is, with a lot of skill and a bit of luck we brought the trophy home to the Commonwealth countries. The moment it registered that we had won was one of the best feelings in my life.
We, at Daily Times, consider you one of our national heroes. Who are some of yours?
Thank you, I am truly flattered. I have dedicated my recent win to Abdul Sattar Edhi, the most giving man ever. God has taken back one of the angels he sent on earth.
Achievements
Power Player
Polo player Hissam Ali Hyder is the highest-ranked polo player in all of Asia at the age of 34. He has the highest handicap of any Pakistani polo player of the last 30 years. His team Golden Falcons has also won Subsidiary Final of the prestigious mid-goal tournament Coworth Park Challenge as well.
Pakistan’s Polo Representative Abroad
Hissam Ali Hyder has represented Pakistan in World Cup tournaments, including The Coronation Cup and The St Moritz Snow Polo cup to name a few.
In Command
Hissam is also on the board of directors at Guards Polo Club and is a part of the HPA – handicapping committee in England.