The Neza Bazi Punjab Championship 2026 – Amritsar Cup concluded in Amritsar on Tuesday, with Dal Baba Bidhi Chand's team lifting the trophy after finishing first in the team competition. Punjab Police finished second, while Jangi Horse Club took third place. The championship showcased traditional horse-riding skills, precision and horsemanship in one of Punjab's oldest equestrian sports.

According to the championship's official event information, more than 150 horse riders took part in the one-day event, which featured individual tent-pegging competitions as well as team events involving four riders per team. The organisers had announced a total prize pool of Rs 4 lakh for the championship.

Complete team results

🥇 First: Dal Baba Bidhi Chand Team
🥈 Second: Punjab Police Team
🥉 Third: Jangi Horse Club Team

Dal Baba Bidhi Chand's team secured the top position in the team category, while Punjab Police and Jangi Horse Club completed the top three. The winning performance combined speed, accuracy, balance and coordination between rider and horse — the core skills tent pegging demands.

What is Neza Bazi?

Neza Bazi, internationally known as tent pegging, is a traditional equestrian sport in which a rider at full gallop uses a lance to strike and pick up a target placed on the ground. It requires excellent horsemanship, precision, concentration and coordination. Under the championship's rules, each team consisted of four riders. Striking the target earned 2 points, carrying it beyond the designated line earned 4, with team targets of 8 points in the first round, 12 in the second, and a 16-point 'full house' from the third round onwards. Individual events included qualification and knockout rounds.

A sport rooted in Punjab's heritage

Neza Bazi is closely connected with Punjab's historical equestrian traditions and martial heritage, particularly the practices of Nihang Singhs, for whom horsemanship and weapons training held a central place. Championships like the Amritsar Cup aim to introduce younger generations to these traditional sports and encourage their continued practice.

The official programme also included a special equestrian procession featuring riders in traditional attire and turbans on decorated horses, showcasing the cultural side of the sport. The day began with opening proceedings and qualification rounds in the morning, followed by knockout and team competitions in the afternoon, and the finals and prize distribution ceremony in the evening.

With Dal Baba Bidhi Chand's team winning the Amritsar Cup, the championship concluded as an important platform for promoting traditional sports in Punjab — and a reminder that the state's equestrian heritage is still alive in the arena.