When the Northern India Open polo tournament gets going, there's more than just lazy afternoons in the sun. It's one of India's most prestigious tournaments; impressions really count here for recommendations, sponsorships and a chance to play abroad. The 77th edition closed last week in Delhi with Oberoi Blues beating Aravalli Polo 4-3 to pick up the Rs 60,000 winner's cheque from sponsor Seagram. The Blues could put their win on Vishal Singh's grit, Dhruvpal Godara's agility and Argentinian Mitias Magarrini's experience, but the clincher came with the brilliant stick work of talented 16-year-old Shamsheer Ali, a Hyderabad boy who was named The Most Valuable Player of the Championship and is being described as one of the talented youngsters to watch on the circuit. "You've either got to have a lot of money or a lot of talent to play polo these days," says Singh. "Shamsheer," says Major Sunil Shivdas of the Army Polo and Riding Club, "has talent." The sponsors are watching. Meanwhile, such praise won't hurt.

-- Anna M M Vetticad