A Case For Pakistani Polo Products

I have often heard that the only polo mallets worth using are from Argentina.


In the USA, Nano's Mallets of Wellington, Florida are considered top class, and in New Zealand George Wood has a good reputation.
Why do players shy away from products from Pakistan?
Often the criticism is that third world countries produce shoddy goods.

I looked at my favorite Ralph Lauren sweater today and saw that it was made in China. Another RL favorite polo shirt had a label in it saying "Made in Sri Lanka."
My favorite La Martina long sleeve shirt, purchased at their store in Buenos Aires, was made in Romania.
Have you checked your running shoes recently? Or your tennis racket? Or golf clubs?
Chances are you will find production sources from China to Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea, Phillipines, India, Bangladesh and, yes, also Pakistan.

I live in Argentina, but I also play with Pakistani sticks. The makers use the same canes from Malaysia. You can get them with Tipa wood heads, if you like.
I also use Argentine sticks, from J&M, Top, and Villamil, as well as from a local malletmaker.
The Pakistani sticks hold up very well and are a joy to play with.
I also know Argentine professional players playing in Pakistan, using Pakistani boots.

Why Pakistan? The assembly costs are much lower. You can purchase a mallet for US$40-$50, including shipping to Europe or to the US, if bought in bulk orders of 20 sticks, to offset the shipping costs.

Other sports have long figured out that just because a country lacks experience in a particular sport does not mean that it cannot produce goods of high quality.
In the case of Pakistan, however, polo has been played there for centuries, and is still played there today.

What has been your experience with Pakistani polo products?

Tags: Argentina, Pakistan, equipment, mallets, polo, price, products, quality, sticks

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Adam Khan on January 28, 2013 at 5:35

Mg Rustum and Shahira are basically a dad and a son owned thing in a little office in sialkot. Since i've had quite a terrible experience with their delay im probably never getting anything from them however i haven't tried galixico, but then again one should get the mallets from Argentina 

Permalink Reply by TJ Jackson on June 14, 2012 at 0:35
Please tell us about the saddles- which did you order? Are the trees good?
Permalink Reply by Sani Umar on June 14, 2012 at 0:48
They are 18" suede saddles. They felt good, strong and comfortable. I had a pony saddled up just to try them out this morning.
Permalink Reply by bruce cowley on June 14, 2012 at 1:37

I've some Galaxico tack that I've had for years and years - it's held up remarkably well, despite the extreme local climate, and a lot of use. Excellent value for money.

Their boots were not great and they got the custom sizing wrong - on 6 out of 6 pairs we ordered! Helmets are shite.

Sticks - very variable, but that's par for the course if you don't select sticks yourself.

A word of warning for Sani though - the ropes broke on 2 gag bits I bought from different suppliers in Pakistan. Don't know if I was just unlucky, but I'd make regular checks if I was you.

Permalink Reply by Sani Umar on June 14, 2012 at 2:00
Thinks bruce regular check is a must ofcourse.
Permalink Reply by Sani Umar on June 15, 2012 at 8:44

*Thanks (was what i meant, sorry for the typo)

Permalink Reply by bruce cowley on June 16, 2012 at 19:13

:) - I do them all the time. But seriously keep checking, it's no fun losing your bit...

Permalink Reply by Sani Umar on June 16, 2012 at 20:45

i will thanks

Permalink Reply by Walter Pike on February 1, 2013 at 5:16
No reason why Pakistani products shouldn't be top rate, look at the quality of the Pakistani English Willow Cricket bats

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