Hissam Haider, or Namoo as he is known to his friends, is ranked as Asia’s best polo player. He shares with Mahlia Lone his experience of playing professional polo at the best clubs and tournaments the world over
You are ranked in the top 5% of the world’s polo players and the best polo player in Asia. How much of this is inborn talent and how much hard work?
Polo has been in my family for a century almost so I think it’s a big part of my DNA apart from being my passion. You have to keep practising to stay ahead of the game and maintain or improve your handicap.
What is your typical day?
My typical day includes waking up and hitting the gym, then either playing a polo game or practising. Sometimes during the peak polo season I play multiple games a day. I try and fit golf in where I can too.
Receiving the trophy from the Queen at the Royal Windsor Cup 2013
You were taught to play by your father, who himself had a handicap of four. At what age did you start playing? How did you build on that skill and excel? your current handicap is six. Can you explain in layman’s terms what that means?
I started riding at 3 and was playing by 11 or so. I actually wanted to be a professional golfer when I was younger, but growing up on polo fields made this the obvious choice of profession. It just sort of worked out in my favour when I got a lucky break at 18.
Knowing how to ride well is essential as well being aware of your surroundings and being able to be a good team player.
Handicaps go up to 10, but that is quite rare in the world of polo and is in the 1st percentile. I’m a 6 goaler in the 5th percentile. You can well imagine that there are only a small number of us, especially compared to other sports in the world.
You have played snow polo also. Can you tell us about that experience? Is it slippery and treacherous with horses skidding or do they have special horse shoes, like cars have snow tires?
They have special balls at snow polo, which are much larger than the regular polo balls and bright orange. The experience of playing snow polo was amazing. I played for Cartier and I scored the winning goal. Playing on ice is very tough and it’s much harder to gain control of the ball. It was always my dream to play in St. Moritz and I’m glad we brought back the cup!
What are some exotic locations that you have played at? What are some differences you have noted in the polo clubs at these places?
Oh wow! Quite a few, Barbados though is on top of the exotic list, as is Chile. Argentina is a regular as well as I have an extremely enjoyable season there and play with an amazing patron and one of my close friends, Satinder Garcha.
Playing at Windsor, you hobnob with royalty on their home ground at a time when they are relaxed and enjoying their downtime. Please share some interesting anecdotes with us.
We see royalty often at Guards Polo Club, Windsor. Prince Philip is a regular, but is a very private person and does not like being disturbed. Tourists don’t understand this so we have seen some amusing interactions. In a public setting (e.g. at an event) he is a very witty man and quite fun to be around.
The experience of playing snow polo was amazing. I played for Cartier and I scored the winning goal. Playing on ice is very tough and it’s much harder to gain control of the ball. It was always my dream to play in St. Moritz and I’m glad we brought back the cup!
What about the junior royals, especially William and Harry? What are they like?
Prince Harry plays often and enjoys the polo scene; he’s a chilled out guy.
How was meeting the Queen when she awarded you a trophy at the Royal Windsor Cup 2013? What is she like? Is there indeed a regal aura about her?
She is the Queen! We see her often at the club as well. She attends the majority of the bigger tournament events. Being awarded the Royal Windsor Cup 2013trophy by her was an honour for me and even more so to have the Pakistani flag stitched on my shirt and jeans whilst receiving the trophy. That’s one of my favourite parts of the whole scene.
We see royalty often at Guards Polo Cub, Windsor. Prince Philip is a regular, but is a very private person and does not like being disturbed. Tourists don’t understand this so we have seen some amusing interactions. In a public setting (e.g. at an event) he is a very witty man and quite fun to be around. Prince Harry plays often and enjoys the polo scene; he’s a chilled out guy. We see Queen Elizabeth often at the club as well. She attends the majority of the bigger tournaments and events. Being awarded the royal windsor cup 2013 trophy by her was an honour for me and even more so to have the Pakistani flag stitched on my shirt and jeans whilst receiving the trophy. That’s one of my favourite parts of the whole scene.Â
Tell us about the Thai Polo Open that you recently played in.
Had a fantastic time, again played with one of my closest friends, Aron Harilela and I always have a great time with him.
You also play golf. How are the two sports similar in their swings? Does one sport complement the other? Could that be one of the factors of your success?
It is possible, yes! I love golf and play a couple of times a week!
What is your diet and exercise regiment during training?
I gym a couple of times a week, play golf, polo practises, polo games and generally eat a balanced diet. I try to stay as fit as possible but can be hard when you’re in Pakistan during the Lahore polo season.
Team Cartier wins the Snow Polo Cup in St. Moritz
How does a professional athlete like you handle the mental pressure of playing in tournaments?
You can’t take too much stress or you will crack. You have to be a good sport and just play your best every time. I like watching the TV show Britain’s Got Talent before games, as it inspires me.
Tell us about polo groupies. What are the most extreme antics displayed by some?
Well polo is not only a sport but a kind of lifestyle and people get somewhat obsessed with it, so the diplomatic answer would be that you find some really interesting people hanging out at polo and trying to be a part of the scene. It’s definitely not all glitz and glamour, it’s a pro/amateur game and that means amateurs pay professionals to play for them. It’s the only sport in the world that has that build up of players, therefore, results are expected and that’s the reality of polo. You have to be on top of your game to stay booked.
What would you like to see improve in the Pakistani polo scene?
I like how the polo scene has evolved and become more professional. I think as time goes by this will happen even more so. My dad Irfan Ali Hyder is the president of the polo club currently, and I think he’s doing an amazing job, if I may say so myself.
You wear the Pakistani flag proudly on your uniform’s sleeve and jeans back pocket. What gave you that idea and has that ever elicited any comments, negative or positive?
I’m a patriotic person and love to show off my roots, I also have it on the horses padding on their backs and anywhere I can fit the flag in actually. Love being a walking, talking Pakistani representative (for lack of a better description). I think people in Pakistan love it. People in England didn’t even find out till recently that I’m actually a British citizen. In regards to negative comments, I never pay any heed. It is what it is and I am what I am!
What is the difference between playing and travelling when single as opposed to now with your wife Alyzeh?
There is definitely more routine in my life, and I cannot stress on how important it is to have a supportive life partner. Also we are best friends first and always have a great time wherever we go.
I’m a patriotic person and love to show off my roots, I also have it on the horses padding on their backs and anywhere I can fit the flag in actually. Love being a walking, talking Pakistani representative (for lack of a better description). I think people in Pakistan love it. People in England didn’t even find out till recently that I’m actually a British citizen. In regards to negative comments, I never pay any heed. It is what it is and I am what I am!
Anything else you would like to tell our readers?
Sports kept me out of trouble while growing up, it is so important for children to be well rounded, especially for this social media generation. Encouraging sports in a child’s life means the child will enjoy something other than textbooks or YouTube and actually go out daily, get some Vitamin D and focus on being a good sport and competitor.
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