Yearly, here at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, we host a number of major events either open to the public or by invitation. We always make sure that our club visitors will have a great time during their stay by providing different activities and programs suited for children and adults, and a positive atmosphere while witnessing two or more opposing teams of polo players compete for the top spot.
The Saudi Ancora team was crowned the National Day Polo Challenge Cup, which was organized by the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club at the Sultan Bin Zayed Stadium in the Ghantoot Club, under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Club, as part of the country’s 51st UAE National Day celebrations. In the final, the Ghantoot team came in the runner-up, and the Al Habtoor team came third.
The closing ceremony was impressive, enjoyed by the audience, with the participation of folklore bands, Abu Dhabi Police musicians, small pony horses and camels. The audience also enjoyed the closing day matches of the event.
The final round of the championship witnessed the application of the American polo system, which provides the opportunity for the participation of the largest number of teams due to the flexibility of the system, which witnessed the application of a regulation of disengagement between the three teams participating in the three-round system from one round.
The matches resulted in Ghantoot tied with Ancora, the leaders, with a goal for each team, after an exciting and equal match, and Ankora scored Khaled Al-Omran, and Ghantoot Nasser Al-Shamsi, and Ancora tied with Al Habtoor with two goals for each team, and Lancora Kelly and Khaled Al-Omran scored, and Habtoor Nicholas and Diaz.
In the third match, the Ghantoot team succeeded in defeating Al Habtoor 4-3, and Nasser Al Shamsi and Ali Al Marri scored for the Ghantoot team (two goals each), and for Al Habtoor Diaz Al Berdi and Raja Abu Al Jaban. The matches were refereed by Oscar Colombus.
At the end of the tournament, Saeed bin Hofan Al Mansoori, Vice Chairman of the Club, and Khalid Saeed Al Marzouqi, Executive Director of the Club, crowned the three teams. Match referees, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Emirates Heritage Club and Abu Dhabi Police were also honored.
The honors included the sons of Fahd Al Qubaisi, the polo player, as the best Emirati outfit on the occasion of the National Day, and the sons of Dr. Walid Al Muhairbi came in second place.
]]>Sheikh Falah said: “The Pink Polo Day initiative falls in line with the club’s community role — to support women’s health through fitness activities, seminars, and various services that motivate them to take care of themselves and to be able to care for their families.”The details of the event and the new season were disclosed in a press conference held at the Jannah Burj Al Sarab Hotel in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
The event is scheduled to take place on November 5 with the Ghantoot A Polo team facing the Ghantoot B team.Ghantoot A Polo team features Her Highness Sheikha Alia Al Maktoum, Fahad Al Qubaisi, Mohammed Al Habtoor, and Nasser Al Shamsi.Rashid Al Falahi, Petra B Spanko, Yousuf Bin Desmal, and Ali Al Marri round out the Ghantoot B lineup.
Khalid Saeed Al Marzooqi, Executive Director of the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, said: “Pink Polo Day will definitely help raise awareness about breast cancer. Such events are an integral part of the policy at Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club.
“We have been working with our committed sponsors, friends and patrons of Ghantoot to make this event a success,” he added.On November 26, an exhibition match to mark UAE National Day will take place after the Pink Polo event.Later, the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club will host the prestigious Emirates Polo Championship International from December 7–17.Adding another charitable event, the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club will host a Red Crescent Polo match on January 7, 2023.
The next event in the club’s calendar is the Sultan Bin Zayed Polo Cup, taking place from January 23 to February 4, 2023.The Sultan Bin Zayed Polo Cup will be followed by Al Amal Polo Day, which is scheduled for February 18, 2022.
The highlight of the UAE polo season, and one of the UAE’s most-anticipated tournaments, is the HH President of the UAE Polo Cup, slated for March 6–18, 2023.Saeed Bin Hoofan Al Mansouri, Vice Chairman of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, thanked the sponsors for supporting the club’s initiative.
Taking place in association with Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), the Pink Polo Day will also mark the resumption of equestrian activities at Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club and is supported by Jannah Hotel Group, Beverly Hills, Reem Hospital, Mediclinic, Al Manara pharmacy, tips and toes, BEDASHING, HOB, emirates zoo and American Academy of cosmetic surgery school.
Richard Haddad, CEO of Jannah Hotel Group, said: “We are proud to be the official hotel sponsor of the polo tournaments and exhibition polo events at Ghantoot Racing and Club. There’s a series of very exciting matches and exhibitions in the pipeline, including the Pink Polo Match, in-line with the breast cancer awareness campaign, taking place on November 5.
“As well as UAE National Day Polo Exhibition Match, Emirates Polo Championship International, Red Crescent Charity Polo Match, Sultan Bin Zayed Polo Cup, Al Amal Polo Day, and HH President of the UAE Polo Cup. We look forward to kicking off this relationship with Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club and working closely with the team to make each one of these matches and exhibitions a success.”
Reem Hospital is pleased to be a medical partner of the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club’s Pink Polo initiative for the second consecutive year.The hospital is offering medical screenings to raise awareness of the dangers of breast cancer and stress the need for early screening to combat the disease.
Zaid Al Siksek, Chairman of Reem Hospital, said, “We are proud of our support for such important initiatives and especially for this unique event, which helps raise awareness in our community, as breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UAE and the second leading cause of death among women.
“With various initiatives aimed at raising awareness, promoting self-exams, and advancing research and clinical trials, women diagnosed with breast cancer still have hope for survival, because if the disease is detected and treated early, the cure rate is 98 percent. Yet, only 30 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer in the UAE are detected early.”
]]>THE ANNUAL POLO SEASON EVENTS IN GHANTOOT RACING & POLO CLUB
Is it your first time learning about us? You can learn more about the annual polo season events that we have that take place during the winter season here in The United Arab Emirates:
Quick Fact: The winter season in the UAE starts around October until mid-March, having an average daytime temperature of 25℃; best suited for polo tournaments and other equestrian events.
PINK POLO
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The Pink Polo Event is the club’s inspiring initiative to help raise breast cancer awareness in the UAE. According to the latest data from statista.com, as of the year 2020, the number of new cases among the UAE’s female population is at 1,030. In that same year, the number of recorded new cancer cases was at 4,800 of the general population, of which there were 1,896 cancer-related deaths.
The event is held under the generous patronage of Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club’s chairman.
UAE NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATION
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Are you looking for other things to do during the UAE National Day? Head to our polo and equestrian club to be part of the celebration. This countrywide celebration is an amazing part of the UAE’s annual events. We provide special shows for everyone to help showcase the UAE’s ambitious and rapid evolution into a cultural and sporting capital of the Middle East, of which equestrianism plays a huge role. Our club hosts exhibition polo matches as part of celebration.
EMIRATES POLO CHAMPIONSHIP INTERNATIONAL
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Held under the generous patronage of our chairman, Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Emirates Polo Championship International is always filled with the top polo teams from across the United Arab Emirates including some international players competing in one of the most anticipated polo tournaments in the UAE.
THE YEAR OF TOLERANCE CELEBRATION
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This event places emphasis on creating a tolerant society and underlining human communication’s significance. It is the country’s noble mission to become a bridge for communication between different cultures and countries by promoting coexistence and upholding the values of openness, kindness, respect, dialogue, and acceptance. Here at the club, we celebrate this event by hosting polo exhibition matches alongside other activities and programs for everyone.
AL AMAL POLO DAY
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We celebrate this charity event by hosting polo exhibition matches and creating an atmosphere filled with compassion. The Al Amal Polo Day was developed and initiated by our chairman, Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to help raise awareness and establish support for children of determination by promoting the principle of embracing and supporting those people with physical as well as learning disabilities in the United Arab Emirates. Our club is always filled with smiles and fun moments during this celebration.
RED CRESCENT CHARITY POLO
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Annually, we extend an arm to charities across the United Arab Emirates by hosting special polo days including activities and programs for the attendees of the event within our state-of-the-art facility located at Ghantoot, Abu Dhabi. Become part of this charity event and also the support system of children of determination.
SULTAN BIN ZAYED POLO CUP
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In memory of Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed; the younger brother of the late president, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the inaugural edition of the Sultan Bin Zayed Cup was held here at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, under the patronage of Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This polo event is jam-packed with a number of polo matches participated by various teams in the UAE.
H.H. PRESIDENT OF UAE POLO CUP
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This annual event, which serves as the season-ender for the polo season, is considered to be one of the finest and most prestigious polo tournaments across the Middle East. The H.H. President of the UAE Polo Cup falls in line with the Abu Dhabi Emirate’s strategic sports objectives; seeking to heighten and promote the equestrian polo sport inside and outside the United Arab Emirates.
We at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, are dedicated to bringing everyone the fun and enjoyment that our series of events can provide throughout the entire polo season. Our events are strategically planned for visitors and long time polo fans to have a worthwhile experience at the club. It is a great part of our duty to make you feel connected to our mission of providing quality polo and equestrian experience here in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
To give you additional information regarding equestrianism in the United Arab Emirates, here are some details that you need to know about the terms polo and equestrian; what makes them different, their relationship, or relevance.
Polo
Polo is a sport played on horseback, in which two teams compete to score goals with a ball. It was developed in Persia as some form of hound hunting game, but it’s come to be known as one of the greatest spectator sports in the world. Polo is a team sport that combines elements of speed and strategy with an elegance all its own.
Polo fields are typically grassy or sandy expanses varying from 360 feet by 180 feet (110 meters by 55 meters) to 590 feet by 245 feet (180 meters by 75 meters). They usually have no boundaries on either end—the ball can travel well past the ends of these fields if struck properly—but there are goal posts at each end for scoring purposes. Each team consists of four players.
Equestrian
Equestrian is a sport that involves riding and training horses. Equestrian events include polo, show jumping, eventing, dressage and driving. The most popular equestrian events are polo, show jumping and dressage. Equestrian sports are very popular in the UAE because of the large number of people who own horses in this country. There are many horse farms located around Abu Dhabi Emirate (province) where you can go for a ride or play some games with your friends or family members!
Membership
Membership is available for both polo and equestrian. It’s open to both male and female members, as well as residents and non-residents (it varies according to the club’s policy). Individual memberships are also available, should you wish to join solely for your own use or if you don’t have any other family members that would benefit from membership.
Polo Season
The polo season in Abu Dhabi is well underway, and what better way to start than with a Polo and Equestrian Club that offers not only its members but also the public, an opportunity to try out this great sport! Enjoy this special experience with family, friends or colleagues if you’re looking for something different from your usual day-to-day activity. Be on the look out for our future announcements on the list of events that we have for you on to the next season!
@ghantootracingpoloclub Believe us, it's better to watch polo tournaments in person. Join us, next polo season here at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club! ♬ Sports Music - Saltonbria
The emirate has been ruled by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan since 1966, when he became ruler after his father died. Upon taking power over Abu Dhabi Emirate, Sheikh Zayed began implementing economic reforms like reducing subsidies on basic goods like food and fuel so that these items could be sold at market prices instead which made them more affordable for residents who had trouble affording them before this change was made by allowing competition between vendors selling similar products such as food or transportation services where one company could not dominate others through controlling all supply chains needed. In addition, Abu Dhabi is also home to many foreign embassies including those of Egypt, Qatar and Bahrain.
Bin Drai Polo Team Crowned as Victors of the H.H. President of UAE Polo Cup 2022
On Sunday, March 27, 2022, Bin Drai Polo team won the championship title for the H.H. President of the UAE Polo Cup 2022 that was held at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club’s Sheikh Zayed Polo Field. The event was under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the chairman of the club, and was supported by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council. In total, there are 6 teams who have participated in this competition.
With the score of 6/11, the UAE Polo team has been outperformed by Bin Drai and placed second; bringing home a silver medal. The third place was bagged by the Abu Dhabi Polo team including the bronze medal after defeating the Ghantoot Polo team with a score of 8/9 during the third match.
The crowning of the first three places was held on the same field led by Sheikh Sultan bin Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikha Aisha bint Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in the presence of His Excellency Saeed bin Hofan Al Mansouri, the Vice Chairman, and His Excellency Hamad Abdul Rahman Al Sheikh, the Executive Director of Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club. Moreover, the stars of the tournament were also honoured during that night, namely Muhammad bin Dari; who won the Best Amateur Player Award after scoring a total of 4 goals, and Thomas Panello of Bin Drai Polo Team for the Best Professional Player Award after scoring a total of 26 goals.
After the awarding ceremony, Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club made sure that guests would have a great overall experience attending this prestigious event by providing facilities and activities for children and adults to enjoy and feel comfortable throughout the event. Some of the attendees were also the lucky winners of great prizes prepared by the club, and everyone witnessed a spectacular pyro musical fireworks display.
Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club would like to thank everyone for making this annual event as part of another successfully reached milestone for the Polo Season 2021-2022. Stay up-to-date for the upcoming events of the club, which will be announced on different mediums and available platforms.
