“He came on and asked the performing player to pretend to be injured.
“So there’s a photo of him in the team to be featured in the print media and to spread the propaganda … as if he was victorious and reliable,” the ruler commented in a statement.
A zero-handicap player, Khairy’s inclusion in the national polo team had drawn mixed reactions before the 29th KL SEA Games.
Sultan Ibrahim’s statement, which carried the provocative heading “If you’re a man, play against the Johor team”, challenged the Malaysian SEA Games polo team to “come to Johor and show your fangs since news of your greatness supersedes you”.
He extended his invitation to Khairy and hoped he would not disappoint the requests of the people to see his team defeat the Johor team.
“I will send two of my sons and two of our horse trainers (for the match), or perhaps myself, as I believe I still have what it takes.
“Should my team lose, I will admit that the SEA Games team are represented by the best there is,” he said.
Sultan Ibrahim dismissed the polo teams competing in the 2017 SEA Games as “merely meeting the necessary conditions set forth by the games committee”.
He said there were some that came with lower handicaps, thus making them easy to be defeated.
Sketching the history of polo played in Johor, the ruler said the game did not start “yesterday”.
“Polo was first played and introduced in Johor since 1884.
“When I was the Crown Prince, I was already playing around the world and even played in the World Cup. Hence, the SEA Games is almost insignificant in comparison.
“If you want a more competitive match, do come to Johor.”
He invited all Malaysians to come and watch as well as enjoy the match between the Malaysian SEA Games team and the Johor team.