Although the origin of polo is unknown, it most likely began as a simple game played by Iranian equestrian nomads in Central Asia.

Polo was first played in Persia (Iran) about 6th century BC to the 1st century AD. The game was at first a training game for cavalry units, usually the king’s guard or other elite troops.

The first recorded tournament was in 600 B.C. (between the Turkomans and the Persians – the Turkomans were victorious).

The name is originated from Tibetan “pholo” meaning “ball” or “ballgame”. At the time, the game often associated with the rich and noble of society, the royal family : Kings, Princes and Queens in Persia.

In Persia, the sport played by the nobility and military men and became a national sport. The game was organized better and spread west to Constantinople, east to Tibet, China and Japan, and south to India.

It began as a war game more than 2,000 years ago and is one of the oldest team sports in history. The origin of polo was known as the sport of kings and for centuries, in the minds of many, the game has always belonged to the rich and famous.

The origin of polo has also been linked to the middle and upper classes in the more recent British past. Perhaps this is due to its requirement, as a game played on horseback which requires at least two horses per game, an expensive hobby to maintain for average people.

Meanwhile in Manipur, a northeastern state of India, The Silchar Polo Club was founded in 1859 by British military officers and tea planters. This marked the beginning of modern polo era as Lieutenant Joe Sherer saw the locals playing polo and attempted to learn the game.

From India, polo spreading worldwide in a short time, coming to Malta in 1868, England in 1869, Ireland in 1870, Argentina in 1872 and Australia in 1874.