This sport was inspired by a game that resembled a water version of polo,where players on horses scored a ball into a goal. Water polo uses swimming instead of horses,and the game itself takes place in a swimming pool.
The word “polo” itself came from the Indian language(balti),where it meant “ball”. So “water polo” can literally be translated as “water ball game”. In early versions of water polo,players did play with a ball that resembled a polo ball,and the game itself was played in a rougher style. Over time,the rules have been refined and water polo has evolved into a more structured and technically demanding sport.