The morning of Sunday, March 11, 2012 had a different meaning for Hamza Mawaz Khan, a day that would make the bravest of men nervous with the pressures he coped later in the day at the tender age of sixteen.
The highlight of the polo season in Pakistan – the Quad-e-Azam Gold Cup for the National Championship – was to be played at 4:30 pm at the historical Aibak Ground at the Lahore Polo Club between Nestle and Colony Sugar that day. Hamza, handicapped at 2, was playing forward along with three of his other teammates, two of whom were former captains of the Pakistan team and the third, the highest handicapped player – entered the field to face a highly-enthusiastic crowd. Although the odds were in favour of Nestle but maybe the gods at that day weren’t. Hamza lost, but history was made. He became the first player in Pakistan’s polo history to have played the National Championship final at the age of 16. As if the pressure of the final was not enough, lying in his subconscious was another fact: four generations of his family had already won the National Championships in their prime. His great grandfather late Brig Gul Mawaz Khan, rated at 4 handicap, had won the National many a time. His grandfather, Major Javed Mawaz Khan, also a 4 handicapper, had won the it six times. His father, Taimur Mawaz Khan, a 3 handicap, had won it three times. His grandfather’s brother Saqib Mawaz Khan, a 5 handicap, had won it thrice.
Hamza has taken polo as a professional sport and his commitment is visible from the fact that he has sacrificed school for his passion. Hamza has represented Pakistan on many occasions: he played for Young Pakistan in Iran in 2010, played in Thailand in 2010, played the prestigious President’s Cup at Gantoot Club for Sheikh Habtoor’s team in 2012, won the best 0-2 category award in the season ending April 2011, also awarded as the 2012’s most valuable player and currently he is playing his second season in the United Kingdom for the Dubai team and has the opportunity to play alongside the world’s best, Adolfo Cambiaso, 10 handicap from Argentina and the main player for the Dubai polo team.
Hamza started his polo career at the age of 9 and has had his share of troubles also. During training in 2009 in Argentina, he fell from his horse and broke his leg, bringing to a halt his steady career. It is hoped that Hamza plays safe and represents Pakistan internationally in the world of polo and make his country proud.
