Kolkata, Dec 18 (IANS): The Federation of International Polo (FIP), the world governing body of the game, is hopeful the sport will soon return to the Olympics, its president Eduardo Huergo said here Sunday.

"Polo is an exciting game and popular around the world. Along with the international federation, the national bodies of the game across the world are making efforts to get it back to the Olympics. The fight is on and I am very hopeful," Huergo told IANS.

Huergo was at the Calcutta Polo Club (CPC), the oldest existing club in the world, to inaugurate the BFL Corp Ezra World Cup 2011 to be played at the Pat Williamson ground starting Sunday.

He also said the international body was taking several games to increase the global appeal of the game.

"Though popular but expensive, the game is somewhat confined. For any game to be popular it is essential to attract children. So we have been organising tournaments and special clinics for children across the world. The increase in its global appeal will certainly help Polo to get back into Olympics," Huergo said.

Polo was introduced in the Summer Olympics at the 1900 Paris Games. It a part of another four Olympiads before being removed from the official programme after the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.

The Olympics resumed post war (World War II) in 1948 in London, but with all the polo grounds ravaged, the sport was ruled out. The next Games were in Helsinki where there were no polo grounds. "This resulted in discontinuance of the game which sadly enough continues till today," said Huergo.

A photo exhibition was also held at the club ground on the occasion showcasing the rich heritage of the club which was established in 1861-62 by two British officers, Captain Robert Stewart and Major-General Joe Shearer.

The exhibition also contained a picture of Shearer who is referred as the father of modern polo.

The gallery wall was also decorated with a picture of 'Bahadur Singh-the legendary trainer of CPC.

Talking about Singh, CPC president Keshav Bangur said: "He truly was a legendary trainer. The horses would listen to him as if he spoke in their language. It was a tradition of sorts in our club for all players to seek and follow his advice. His whip which we have preserved is a source of inspiration for young trainers."

Five teams, including three international squads, will vie among themselves in the world tournament. The final to be played Dec 22 will be witnessed by a host of royal families from across the country, international polo stars and celebrities from various fields.