THE Johor Super Crown Polo Tournament (JSCPT) 2026 officially came to a close yesterday (Sept 6) at the Royal Polo Grounds in Istana Pasir Pelangi.
The landmark event, themed “Legacy in Motion”, marks the largest and highest handicap polo tournament ever hosted in Malaysia, cementing Johor's position as a premier luxury sports and polo destination in Asia.
A historic victory
The highlight of the concluding day was the mesmerising final match that saw Royal Johor defeat Singapore-based Temasek 10-7.
This saw Royal Johor emerge as the inaugural champions, with Temasek finishing in the runner-up spot and Korea Polo in third place.
The victory was spearheaded by a dominant performance from Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, who secured a double hat-trick with six spectacular goals in the sixth chukka.
Tunku Ismail's success in claiming the top award was made sweeter as it was achieved despite having to face the challenge of playing while plagued by a hand injury.
For his consistent play and exceptional sportsmanship throughout his 22-goal tournament, Tunku Ismail was crowned the tournament's most valuable player (MVP).
Teammate, Pablo “Polito” Pieres, contributed significantly to the win by adding a hat-trick of his own.
Royal Johor also completed its haul of individual accolades when Tunku Ismail’s horse, Poliya Cara Pálida, was awarded Best Playing Pony.
Established over a century ago, the Royal Johor Polo Club is among Asia’s oldest and most prestigious polo clubs, with a legacy deeply rooted in the state’s royal heritage.
Celebration of heritage
Driven by the shared vision of Tunku Ismail and Polito Pieres, JSCPT 2026 featured five invitation-only teams and 190 horses.
It successfully captured the evolution of royal heritage into global athletic excellence, transforming timeless prestige into a living, breathing spectacle.
The prize-giving ceremony was officiated by Che' Puan Mahkota Khaleeda Johor – wife of Tunku Ismail – who presented the tournament trophy, medals and MVP award.
The championship trophy, crafted by Royal Insignia, is a masterpiece combining fine silver, 24-karat gold, rhodium, lapis lazuli and gemstones, featuring motifs deeply inspired by Johor's royal and polo heritage.
The final match and closing ceremony were witnessed by members of the Johor royal family, including Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Putera Johor Tunku Abu Bakar Sultan Ibrahim, Raja Muda Johor Tunku Iskandar Tunku Ismail and Tunku Khalsom Aminah Sofiah Tunku Ismail.
Also in attendance were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, state government leadership and Royal Johor Polo Club secretary David Keyte.
The closing ceremony, guided by emcee Patricia Sue-Lin Knudsen, concluded with special performances by the Johor Military Force (JMF) brass band and Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
These were accompanied by a captivating cultural performance by the Johor Heritage Foundation, celebrating the tournament's role not just as a sporting competition but as a platform for international friendship, cultural exchange and luxury sports tourism.
For more information, visit royaljohorpoloclub.com.
