Hissam Hyder is Pakistan’s leading polo player who has fast established himself as one of Asia’s rising polo stars. He was born in 1982 in sports playing family. His father Irfan Ali Hyder and grandfather Brig. “Gussy” Hyder, were both prominent polo players, with a handicap of 4 goals and 1 goal respectively. Hissam has eclipsed them both with a handicap of 6 goals and is presently ranked in the top 5% of the world’s polo players. He started playing professional polo in 2001 at the age of nineteen and has since participated in the sport’s most prestigious local and international Polo tournaments. He has been named as the most valuable player in Pakistan on 6 different occasions and has been on the winning team of 7 National Polo Championships in Pakistan. Internationally he has participated in top, high goal tournaments such as the 2012 Dubai Trophy in England, the 2011 Duke of Cornwall Trophy, the 2011 Valerie Halford Memorial Trophy, the 2010 Thai Polo Open and the 2012 Cope Presidente among many others. He has also participated in the final of the Estimulo in Argentina, unarguably one of the most competitive tournaments of the International polo circuit.
Hissam has also represented the Pakistani Polo team officially in 3 different World Cups. He participated in the qualifying stages of the 1999 World Cup held in India and the 2007 World Cup played in New Zealand. He also has the distinction of representing Pakistan in the main stage of the 2003 World Cup held in France.
Hissam has also been affiliated with some of the world’s most prestigious teams and has played alongside legendary polo players from around the globe. He has also played professionally for the Hong Kong team and the Royal Jordanian team in International tournaments. In an exclusive interview with Sunday Plus he talks about his career, personal life and future endeavours. Following are the excerpts of his interview:
Since how long time are you playing Polo? And how long you have been professional?
I started riding at the Lahore Polo Club when I was four and started playing polo when I was about 14. I was fortunate to play some very good high-level polo in Pakistan before I left to go abroad. Internationally my professional career started in the United Kingdom in 2001/2002 – 11 years ago.
How much advantage do you have of your father and grandfather who were also polo players?
Polo has been in my family for three generations. That definitely influenced and motivated me as it was very much a family sport. One of the biggest advantages was being able to learn from my father who played polo for almost 35 years. Learning from his experience did give me an advantage.
How do you feel that you have eclipsed the both with a handicap of 6 goals?
I feel very lucky and extremely privileged to have achieved what I have. The world of professional polo is very competitive and there are some phenomenal players out there. I just feel very lucky and grateful for all the opportunities that came my way.
You have played with some of the best players in the world. Who would you say has had the most influence on your career?
Like any other field, the learning never stops and I am always on the look-out for ways to improve my game. For me, that has mostly been through playing with players who were better than me and learning from them. My biggest inspiration for Polo since I was a child has been Adolfo Cambiaso, a world renowned Argentinean player who attained a 10 goal handicap at the very young age of 17. He is known to be a magician on the polo field and has a natural talent for the game that every polo player can only dream of.
How much time do you spend in practice?
2-3 hours a day on average. Not only do I need to stay fit but I need to make sure my horses are in good shape.
Tell us something about your trainer or coach?
I don’t really have one trainer or coach. When I was younger, my father played that role. Now as I travel and play in different locations I have the opportunity and exposure to interact with some of the best players in the world. I just try and learn from them all.
Anything which you do not like to practice but you have to do that?
Like all people, I have days where I feel lazy. As a professional athlete, I cannot afford to have too many of those days. If I am not playing a game or practice chukkers, I am at the gym running. It’s part of the lifestyle.
Does a polo player have to be a certain physique?
Not really but the lighter and leaner you are the better. The average polo pony weighs between 900-1100 pounds so it makes their job easier if the rider is not too heavy. Being agile on a horse makes for a better game, you are able to reach further for the ball, be more creative with the shots you take. Like all sports, being in good shape is very important.
Do you have to watch your calories?
Absolutely. I come from a family of food lovers and if I am not careful the weight creeps on very easily.
What type of exercise do you do?
Running mostly and some strength training.
What are the differences between the International Polo and the game played in Pakistan?
Over the years Polo in Pakistan has evolved into a professional sport with good corporate sponsorships and increased public interest. The Media has also played a big role by writing about and televising matches to make the game more accessible to a wider audience, which is a very good trend. For me the main difference between International Polo and Polo in Pakistan is the quality of the horses. As more than half the game is about the horses, people need to realize that and invest in horse power as without that it is very difficult to improve the overall level of the game.
In what way Pakistan lacks in polo infrastructure; and can we overcome these?
There needs to be more investment in the upcoming generation of polo players. The government and the leading polo institutions in the country need to empower the future talent by providing them the opportunities and funding options to develop and improve their game at an international level.
How much important the role of a horse in this game?
Horses are 70% of the game. I learnt very early in my career that if you don’t have good horses, you do not stand a chance of making it on the professional circuit.
You are the only professional polo player of Pakistan who has his own stables and ponies? Would you please share some details about you ponies and stables with the readers?
Actually most of the players in Pakistan have their own ponies and stables. Internationally I maintain a string of ponies in the UK and in Argentina. My ponies are like my children. Each one of them is unique and has its own temperament. I invest a lot of time training and mentoring them as they are an integral part of the game.
Tell us something about the striking stick? Is it same everywhere in the world or has some difference?
Polo sticks or Polo mallets are roughly the same dimensions everywhere in the world. They differ in the quality of the materials and the workmanship. After the horse, the polo stick is the second most important tool for a player. The balance between the flexibility of the cane and the weight of the head has to be just right or it can lead to muscle fatigue. The best mallets are manufactured in Argentina.
What is the most challenging thing about being a polo player?
Being on the road. It is very exciting at times but can get very tiring too. There have been times where if somebody needs me I have had to pack a bag and head out on an 8 hour plane ride with a 24-48 hour notice.
And the most enjoyable?
Galloping across a polo field at a speed of 40 km/h or more, you feel invincible.
Who/what inspires you?
People who have fought the odds, worked hard and made it happen. There is no substitute in life for hard work, perseverance and determination.
What are your favourite designations of playing polo?
When I started playing I mostly played forward. As my career has evolved and my game has matured, I play back or centre now. Being a forward means being quick, getting in there and scoring the goals. To be a good back you have to think strategically. Not as thrilling as the goal-scoring forward but definitely a very critical role for the team.
What three things can’t you live without?
My iPhone, the gym and Lahore.
What motto do you live by?
Fight till the end. Never give up.
What do you do for fun when you are not playing polo?
I like spending time with my friends and family. I also love good food.
Would you like to give tips to young Polo players?
Follow your dreams, work hard and be open to learning. The minute you think you know it all, the game is over.