HH Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has endorsed the 2022-2023 polo tournaments and events.

Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, has announced its 2022/2023 fixture after it was approved by HH Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club.

HH Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has endorsed the clubs tournaments and events, set to commence on November 5, 2022 and run through to March 18,2023. The polo season will include three tournament rankings yearly: low goal (4-6 goals), medium goal (10-12 goals) & high goal (18 goals).

Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, the only royal polo club in the country,embarks on a historic season this year, marking the 28th year of the club’sfounding by the late President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, which took place in 1994. The upcoming season is set to kick off with the 13th Pink Polo Day, an annual charity event dedicated to raising awareness aboutbreast cancer.

Over the years, the club, which is perfectly located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, has hosted Royal families, visiting Kings, famous personalities, and some of the world’s best polo players. It is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and exclusive polo clubs in the Middle East, having created a niche for itself in the world of polo.

Mr. Khalid Saeed Al Marzooqi, Executive Director of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, commented: “We are pleased to announce that the club is ready to launch the polo season of 2021-2022, celebrating twenty-seven years of bringing the best of polo to the region since the establishment of the club by the hands of the late president Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.”

Mr. Khalid Saeed Al Marzooqi, Executive Director of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, praised the continuous support and follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the club’s chairman, which has contributed to achieving many sporting and societal successes since the club’s establishment.

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.

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!

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.

The 22nd edition of the H.H. President of the UAE Polo Cup will start on March 13 (Sunday) and finish on March 27 (Sunday) at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club. The event is taken into consideration to be one of the most prestigious events in Asia and in the Middle East.

The polo cup is considered as a showpiece event of the polo season which will be held in the name of the President — His Highness, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and under the patronage of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club’s Chairman; Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The best polo players of the United Arab Emirates will be joined by other professionals from different parts of the globe during the two-week long equestrian polo tournament.

A round-robin league, which is the 18-handicap tournament, will have two top polo teams within the grand final’s qualification.

Sheikh Falah said, “We are in high spirits about hosting our high-goal tournament. This year’s HH President of the UAE Polo Cup is very significant because it’s the event’s 22nd anniversary.

“I would like to use this occasion to express my gratitude to all of our patrons, partners, and sponsors for their continued support over the past more than two decades.” He added, “This tournament is globally recognised and puts the UAE at the forefront of the international polo circuit. We can all look forward to two weeks of high-quality action with some of the top polo players, together with some of the leading players from Argentina, and around the world, competing for the honours. Good luck to all the teams participating.”

All of the polo matches will be played under Hurlingham Polo Association‘s banner and will be under strict international supervision in accordance to their rules and the provision of their umpires. Also, all of the matches will take place at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club’s facility.

His Excellency, Hamad Abdelrahman Al Shaikh, the Executive Director of Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, said in the press conference:”It gives me great pleasure to announce that Ghantoot is all set to host the HH President of the UAE Polo Cup. As the 22nd staging of our season’s greatest event gets underway, we’re looking forward to an exciting two weeks of top-level polo play. I wish good luck to all the participating teams and look forward to seeing who will emerge as our 2022 champion.”

Remembering last year’s polo cup results; the H.H. President of the UAE Polo Cup’s 21st edition, Ghantoot Polo team won in the thrilling finals against Habtoor Polo with the final score of 9-7.

For the 22nd edition, the defending champions; Ghantoot Polo will start a campaign against Habtoor Polo. This will be part of the scheduled three matches on the opening day of the polo tournament. The next match will be between Bin Drai and the Wolves, and last but not the least will be between UAE Polo and Abu Dhabi Polo.

Led by Sheikha Maitha Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Polo team will be among the favourites for the prestigious title. To add more details about the UAE Polo team, just last week, they edged past Habtoor Polo team and lifted the Gold Cup crown in Dubai.

The HH President of the UAE Polo Cup is sponsored by CAPEX, Capital Motion, Yas Mall, Jardin de Parfums, Beverly Hills Polo Club Arabia, Emirates Hospitality Center, Dhabiya Studio, Lotus Holistic Center, and contributor Al Rais Holidays.

The Abu Dhabi Sports Council is the governing partner for the H.H. Prepsident of the UAE Polo Cup and it is being held in association with the Emirates Polo Association.

Images from the Press Conference

Watch the video

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