Kanpur’s Anubhav Sachan becomes first Indian to win UK university polo title

A young boy from Kanpur has made history in the United Kingdom. Anubhav Sachan, 21, a student at the University of Warwick, has become the first Indian to win the SUPA Nationals, the prestigious University Polo Championship, a sport often referred to as the “game of kings.”

Anubhav, son of Uttar Pradesh government minister Rakesh Sachan, has now set his sights on other international polo titles. His journey into the sport is a story of determination rather than privilege.

Unlike many players who begin through family connections or elite equestrian circles, Anubhav first encountered horses in 2021 while studying at Scindia School. After moving to the state capital, he took to the Lucknow Racecourse, which soon became his favorite training ground.

"I never had access to polo in Uttar Pradesh, as the sport is mainly concentrated in cities like Jaipur and Delhi," Sachan said. "But every ride made me believe I was building something for the future, even if I didn't know what that future was."

At Warwick, where he studies Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE), Anubhav joined the university's Polo Society with no prior experience. "I joined with zero experience," he laughed. "But what kept me going was curiosity, and then love for the game. What followed was a rigorous two-year initiation under the watchful eye of coach Grant."

Balancing academics and intensive training was challenging. "It's not about hitting the ball harder than others," he reflected. "It's about patience, teamwork, and the rhythm you develop with your horse. The animal teaches you humility, the team teaches you trust."

During the 2025 SUPA Nationals, Warwick's B3 team, which included players from Lebanon, China, Malaysia, and Britain, defied expectations. "We came from different worlds, but we learned to speak one language on the field. Victory was not mine alone — it was a story of our team finding unity," Anubhav said.

The achievement drew praise from Polo Times Magazine, which highlighted how rare it is for someone without prior polo experience to rise quickly on the UK stage. His father expressed his pride, saying, "It's a proud moment for not just our family, but entire country especially Uttar Pradesh. As a father, I will support him at every level."

For Anubhav, the championship is only the beginning. "It is still seen as the sport of kings, inaccessible to most. But I want to change that. I want young talent from smaller towns like Kanpur or Patna to believe they too can shine on the international stage, given the right opportunities and resources. Polo should not just belong to palaces — it should belong to passion," he said.

He cited global polo legend Adolfo Cambiaso and Indian player Maharaja Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur as inspirations. "But beyond names, it's the spirit of the sport I admire. Watching Cambiaso play against his own son showed me how timeless polo really is," he added.

Looking ahead, Anubhav remains focused on creating opportunities for others. "If I become a policymaker or politician someday, I want to create platforms for equestrian sports in India. Talent should not die because opportunity never arrived."

At 17, he had only a saddle and a dream; at 21, he holds an international championship. The boy who once trained at the Lucknow racecourse is now rewriting India’s presence in polo — and his journey has only just begun.