businesslounge domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home1/equaladmin/public_html/demo_sites/grpc/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6131Prestigious Event To Feature UAE’s Top Sides
Qualification starts March 25; Grand Final April 5
March 24, 2013, Abu Dhabi: Ghantoot Polo Team players will be hoping to bring the curtain down by making an attempt to claim a third title when they host this week the prestigious H.H. President of the UAE Polo Cup.
The 16-goal tournament is the highlight of the hugely successful season at the Abu Dhabi Club, which is held under the patronage of the H.H. Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The first qualification matches get underway on March 25 (Monday) when Bin Drai faces the Abu Dhabi polo team and Zedan meets Habtoor Polo.
Ghantoot polo team will be hoping to wrestle the winner’s trophy back during the tournament featuring the UAE’s toughest sides, as well as defending champions, Zedan Polo from Saudi Arabia.
Having claimed the Emirates Open Polo Championships including the recent Dubai Polo Cup, Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club are enjoying a rich vein of form this season.
On Wednesday, March 27th, the polo team consisting of Emirati star Ali Al Marri (0), Pelayo Berazadi Rozpide (4), Alfredo Fabian Capella (8), and Juan Zubiarre Canal (4) will face the defending champions, Zedan from Saudi Arabia.
H E. Saeed Bin Houfan Al Mansouri, Vice Chairman of Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, said the polo club was looking forward to hosting the best teams in the UAE as well as the visiting members of the public.
“This is our biggest and most prestigious event of the year and we are delighted to once again host some of the top players in the UAE,” he said. “As usual during our big tournaments, one of the most important aspects for us is that we throw open our gates to the general public and invite polo fans and those who are interested in learning more about the sport to visit us for the grand final.”
“We believe that including the UAE public in our events is an important way to spread the word about the sport of polo and the work that Ghantoot does in the community.”
The grand finals of the polo cup will be held on the 5th of April and will feature a host of fun family activities at the club and members of the public are encouraged to attend this prestigious event.
]]>Dubai 5th of March 2013: Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club claimed an 8-3 victory over Mahra Polo in the Dubai Gold Cup this evening (Tuesday) and now face the hurdle of a decisive clash against defending champions, Habtoor Polo before they can seal a place in the semi-final.
Ghantoot, who defeated Habtoor in a charity exhibition match on home turf just before the start of the two-week-long Gold Cup, now find the tables turned as they go into their next game at Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, the home ground of Habtoor.
The Royal club has suffered mixed fortunes in this tournament, defeating Zedan Polo in their opening round before losing to bogey team and fellow capital-based rivals, Abu Dhabi Polo, who also turfed them out of the Dubai Silver Cup at the semi-final stage last month.
Today’s victory will serve as a good confidence boost before the crunch match with Habtoor, but Ghantoot’s players are taking nothing for granted.
Ali Al Marri, Ghantoot’s Emirati player said: “We played well today and were happy to walk away with a win, but we are a long way from the final which is our ultimate goal in this tournament. We now look forward to our match with Habtoor having beaten them going into the event.
“Having said that, we don’t rest on our laurels. Habtoor are the form team in this competition, defending their trophy and playing with home advantage and they will be very tough.”
In today’s match, Mahra Polo drew first blood, but it was not long before Ghantoot found their stride, ending the first chukker with a two goal advantage at 3-1.
The second chukker ended 5-2 to an increasingly confident-looking Ghantoot and by the end of the third chukker, the Abu Dhabi side were leading 8-2. Mahra scored a consolation goal in the fourth period, but never looked like challenging for the lead.
Ghantoot, who were in fourth place in the table going into this match, will meet third-placed Habtoor at 4pm on Friday.
]]>25 February 2013
Facundo Sola Scores All Five Of His Side’s Goals
Dubai, 25th of February 2013: Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club have made a rousing start to their Dubai Gold Cup campaign, defeating Zedan Polo 5-4 in the tournament’s opening match this afternoon at Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club.
The Abu Dhabi-based side is in fine form at the moment, having claimed a 9-7 victory over defending Dubai Gold Cup champions and home side, Habtoor Polo at the weekend in a high-goal charity polo match held at Ghantoot that raised Dhs163,000 for the Al Ain Private Centre For Care and Rehabilitation.
This afternoon it was Facundo Sola, Ghantoot’s eight-goal Argentine professional, who scored all five of his side’s goals, three of which came from penalties.
Scores were tied at 1-1 after the first chukker, 2-2 after the second, and 3-4 to Ghantoot after the third. In the fourth chukker, Zedan’s nine goal player, Nachi Heguy missed a decisive penalty, and Sola capitalised by scoring in open play to make the score 5-3. Heguy came back strongly with a goal for 5-4, just before the claxon signaled the end of the match.
Ali al Marri, Ghantoot’s Emirati player said his side was satisfied with their effort.
“It’s always the aim to start a tournament with a win and we are very pleased to go into our next game on a high note,” said the scratch handicapper. “We are having a busy season so I think that for us, the main thing will be conserving as much of our strength as possible as we look forward to our next match against Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
The Dubai Gold Cup was preceded by the Dubai Silver Cup, which saw Ghantoot knocked out at the semi-final stage by city rivals, Abu Dhabi Polo. It was a golden goal in extra time which denied the Royal club a final berth.
“We played very well in the Dubai Silver Cup and just missed out on the final,” said Al Marri. “Every game is these tournaments are very close and the difference between winning and losing often comes down to one goal – as was the case today against Zedan.”
Ghantoot are next in action against Abu Dhabi at 4pm on Thursday February 28 at Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club.
]]>Dubai, 28th of February 2013: Ghantoot Polo lost a close game in the second round of the Dubai Gold Cup to their bogey team, Abu Dhabi Polo at Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club this afternoon.
It was Abu Dhabi Polo who denied Ghantoot Polo a place in the final of the Silver Cup earlier this month and the Royal club would have been hopeful of a strong showing after beating the 2012 Gold Cup champions, Habtoor Polo in a charity match on home turf over the weekend.
But it was not to be. Ghantoot, who defeated Saudi Arabia’s Zedan Polo in the opening Gold Cup clash on Monday, were unable to sustain a three-goal advantage gained in the first-chukker, which also saw star player, Facundo Sola receive treatment after sustaining a knock to the leg.
Abu Dhabi’s JJ Storni pulled back a goal in the second chukker but at half-time Ghantoot were still leading 3-1.
In the third chukker Abu Dhabi Polo scored twice more while Ghantoot answered once and the sides went into the final period with a 4-3 lead. The fourth chukker saw Manuel Elizalde level the score for Abu Dhabi only for Sola to drive home a penalty giving Ghantoot the lead again.
But with less than 30 seconds left on the clock, Storni buried the ball between the posts in open play to take the teams to a golden goal fifth chukker and it was Storni who scored the penalty, sealing the win for Abu Dhabi.
Ali Al Marri, Ghantoot’s Emirati player was disappointed.
“An extra-time penalty is one of the most frustrating ways to lose an important game,” he said. “We had a lead in the beginning and obviously things didn’t go our way after that and we are very disappointed.
“But that is not the end of the Gold Cup for us, we play Mahra on Tuesday next week so we will be going away and analysing our performance today in order to concentrate on that match.”
]]>23 February 2013
Abu Dhabi Side Gets Confidence Boost Ahead of Next Week’s Gold Cup
Dhs 163,000 raised for Al Ain Private Centre for Care and Rehabilitation
Abu Dhabi, 23rd of February 2013: A high-goal charity match at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club has raised Dhs163,000 for the Al Ain Private Centre for Care & Rehabilitation this evening after the hosts beat Habtoor Polo in a 9-7 clash.
The 20-goal match, the highest handicapped polo to be played in the UAE this season was a new addition to Ghantoot’s polo calendar and is held under the patronage of the club’s chairman, HH Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Both sides are about to contest the Dubai Gold Cup, which takes place at Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club all next week. Ghantoot’s victory over defending champions, Habtoor Polo at this stage will bring a lot of confidence to the Royal club.
Ghantoot’s Facundo Sola scored six goals, Juan Jaurechte two and Emirati player, Ahmed Al Nueimi one. For Habtoor, Martinez Ferrairo got four, while Mohammed al Habtoor, Guillermo Cuitino and Salvador Ulloa all got one.
“To win a charity match for such a good cause is a really great feeling, said Ghantoot’s Facundo Sola. “It was a very exciting game, which is what you would expect from 20-goal polo.
“We know we are playing well, having just missed out in the semi-final of the Dubai Silver Cup last week, when losing 10-9 to Abu Dhabi. Habtoor went on to win that tournament and they are obviously a team in great form, so our win today was a fantastic confidence boost.”
Ghantoot face a rematch with Saudi Arabian side, Zedan Polo in the opening game of the Dubai Gold Cup on Monday, and Zedan will be out for revenge after Ghantoot dumped them out of the Silver Cup last week.
“There is a lot to play for next week and having got so close in the Silver Cup, it just makes us all the more hungry for success in the Gold Cup. We know all the sides very well and we know exactly what they are capable of.
“There are no easy matches in any of the tournaments in the UAE so we hope we can continue in the same vein on Monday,” said Sola, who emerged as the Silver Cup’s highest goal scorer with a total of 16 for the tournament.
H E. Saeed Bin Houfan Al Mansouri, Vice Chairman of Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, said: “We would like to extend our thanks to all the people who supported us today. It was a fun, family day out and that is exactly what we hoped to achieve in organising this match.”
Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club would like to extend its thanks to French painter, Remi Bertoche who generously donated one of his works of art to the charity auction, as well as Aigner the supporting sponsor, Governing Partner: Abu Dhabi Sport Council, Charity Partner: Al Ain Private Center for care and rehabilitation, Media Partner: Al Medmar Magazine, Exclusive Polo Media Partner: Polo Line International and PQ Magazine.
The Al Ain Private Center for Care and Rehabilitation was founded in 1999 through the personal initiative of a father of a child with autism.
The center was established to provide basic education and care services for a limited number of children who required extra help. A non-profit, non-governmental humanitarian organisation, the centre is currently housed in a villa with 20 classrooms to provide education and rehabilitation to 120 children.
The facility can also house residential pupils and it currently hosts 73 children, of which 33 come from GCC counties.
]]>Abu Dhabi 20th of February 2013: The highest goal polo match of the season is to be held at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club to raise money for the Al Ain Private Centre for Care and Rehabilitation this Saturday, February 23.
A new addition to the Royal club’s season, the 20-goal match, is held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Spectators will witness the clash of some of the best polo players in the UAE when Abu Dhabi’s Ghantoot Polo clashes with Dubai’s Habtoor Polo.
Promoted through all colleges and schools in the UAE, the exhibition match aims to bring to the attention of the young people of the UAE the different paths that those with special needs must take in life.
All proceeds from the family polo day will be donated to the centre.
The children from the centre will also be invited to attend the fun day and beforehand will also be treated to a private tour of Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club where they will meet the polo ponies and players.
H E. Saeed Bin Houfan Al Mansouri, Vice Chairman of Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club said: “This event has been organised as a way to offer a fun and family-centred day to the youngsters from the Al Ain Private Centre For Care and Rehabilitation and also to highlight the important work that the centre does to the UAE community.
“We hope that members of the public in the UAE will get on board for such a worthwhile cause and come along and support us. There will be many activities for children put on throughout the day as well as a 20-goal polo tournament which will provide a great deal of excitement and interest.”
Gates open at 3pm and match starts at 5pm Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club.
The Al Ain Private Center for Care and Rehabilitation was founded in 1999 through the personal initiative of a father of a child with autism.
The center was established to provide basic education and care services for a limited number of children who required extra help. A non-profit, non-governmental humanitarian organization, the centre is currently housed in a villa with 20 classrooms to provide education and rehabilitation to 120 children.
The facility can also house residential pupils and it currently hosts 73 children, of which 33 come from GCC counties.
]]>Abu Dhabi 2nd of February 2013: Ghantoot Polo made an excellent start to the Dubai Silver Cup this afternoon after sealing a one goal victory over defending champions, Abu Dhabi Polo 11-10.
Facundo Sola, the Argentine professional scored seven goals for Ghantoot, with the remaining goals coming courtesy of Berazadi Pelayo and Juan Zubiaurre Canal who both scored twice.
Ghantoot Polo’s Emirati player, Ali Al Marri, who played a great game in defense said: “That was a very satisfying start to a major UAE tournament. The difference between winning and losing was just a single goal and I think that most of the matches this week will be just as close.
“It is obviously a great confidence boost to defeat the defending champions in the opening game of the tournament, but we are taking nothing for granted going forward. We need to keep our focus in this event if we are to achieve our potential.”
Next up Ghantoot Polo will face Bin Drai Polo, the finalists in the Dubai Gold Cup last season and on Tuesday at 2:30pm and they will take on the Saudi Arabian team, Friday, Zedan Polo.
“We have a tough game up next against Bin Drai, so now we will be focusing on that and taking it one game at a time,” said Al Marri.
The Dubai Silver Cup is held at Dubai Polo Club near Arabian Ranches and runs from February 2 until February 16.
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