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.

HH Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, has endorsed the clubs tournaments and events agenda for the polo season 2020-2021, which includes many local, international championships and events that will commence on the 6^th of November 2020 and wrapping up the club activities by 26^th March 2021. Based on the decisions and recommendations of the clubs board members. The meeting was held on Sunday, 26^th of July, 2020 (remotely) through a video call program. Led by His Excellency Saeed Bin Hoofan Al Mansoori – Vice Chairman of the clubs board members and in the presence of His Excellency / Zayed Khalifa Zayed Al Aboudi Al Zaabi – Executive Director of the club, and board members Mr. Fares Suhail Al-Yabhouni, Mr. Abdullah Mohammed Ahmed Abdullah Bin Desmal Al-Suwaidi, Mr. Nasser Abdullah Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, Mr. Ali Salem Hamad Masoud Al-Marri.

His Excellency Zayed Khalifa Zayed Al-Aboudi Al-Zaabi, commenced the meeting with conveying the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan – Chairman of Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, followed by discussions with the board members and the clubs team about the upcoming season plans and thanked them for their great support on the previous period and wishes to have yet another distinguished polo season in the UAE community on the upcoming season.

The clubs board members approved the polo season agenda as well as  confirming that the polo season will contain three tournament rankings yearly (low level  4 – 6 Handicap , medium level 10 – 12 Handicap, High level 18 Handicap ) to allow the largest number of team patrons as well as national players to participate in the different seasons championships.

With a great success achieved in the 2019-2020 polo season by the support of the governing partner Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the contribution of many national, international institutions. The excitement and anticipation is building as  Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club the only royal polo club in the country embarks on a historic season hosting its traditional opener – Pink Polo Day on Friday, 6^th November 2020 – 11^th edition, which is a charity event dedicated to increase awareness about the breast cancer. Marking the 26th year of the establishment of Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club by the late President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in 1994 as a one-of-a-kind sporting venue.

Over the years the club, which is ideally 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.

Opening the new season comes in an exceptional case with the team of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club pledging to keep precaution measures as per the UAE regulations to maintain public safety. And so, the clubs program continues; on the 27^th of November, holding a polo exhibition match celebrating the 49^th annual UAE National Day.

On December 6^th to December 18^th, the first polo tournament launches with Sultan Bin Zayed Polo Cup in its second edition, with a medium Handicap level (10 – 12 Handicap). The first edition marked its champion team which was Ghantoot YAS Polo Team who was led by Her Highness Sheikha Maitha Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, after defeating Ghantoot Maserati Polo Team; result 6-4 in a game full of polo thrill and excitement.

The excitement remains as January 8^th, 2021 to the 22^nd of the same month, celebrates the twentieth anniversary of the Emirates Polo Championship International with Medium Handicap of (10 – 12 Handicap). This polo tournament, which is considered one of the finest polo tournaments in the country, witnesses a wide participation of distinguished professional polo teams and players.

On February the 5^th, 2021, Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club under the gracious patronage of His Highness Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will organize a charity polo event to support the UAE Red Crescent (for orphans) in its fifth edition, which the club is keen to organize annually as a local initiative dedicated for donating to UAE Red Crescent. The event will be followed by a charity event called “Al Amal Polo Day for People of Determination” on the 26^th of the same month with a fun filled day for children with special needs; a polo game as well as dedicating charitable proceeds to support centres of people of determination.

The club grandstand will witness from March 12^th to 26^th, HH President of the UAE Polo Cup on its twenty-first edition, with great participation and valuable prizes and accompanying exciting activities creating a wonderful opportunity to enjoy watching the game arts and high-tech polo skills in the country with a high handicap of 18 Handicap level, this tournament is known as the most prestigious tournaments in the country and the region.

His Excellency / Saeed Bin Hofan Al Mansoori

Vice-Chairman of the clubs board members, praised the support of His Highness Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan – Chairman of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, which contributed to achieving many sports and social successes during the last season, which resulted in a positive impact and response of many segments of society through these polo sporting events; that has been successfully implemented in cooperation with all parties especially the governing partner Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

His Excellency / Zayed Khalifa Zayed Al-Aboudi Al-Zaabi

Executive Director of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, expressing his recognition and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, and all the board members for their unlimited guidance and support including the great efforts that has been made which resulted in the success of the previous polo season.

His Excellency added: “We are also pleased to announce that the club is set and ready to launch the polo season of 2020-2021, celebrating twenty-six years of bringing the best of polo to the region since the establishment of the club on the hands of the late president Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan”.

Araya the star for the hosts in victory over Abu Dhabi

Hosts Ghantoot Polo Team continued to display match-winning form as they defeated Abu Dhabi by 11 goals to 6 in the 20^th HH President of the UAE Polo Cup on March 17.

It was the second successive win for Ghantoot after their thrilling  victory over Bangash Polo Team.

In the day’s second game of the day, Her Highness Sheikha  Maitha Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum led the UAE Polo Team to a convincing 11-7 victory over Desert Palm.

It was the first win for UAE following their narrow defeat to Al Habtoor, while Desert Palm suffered their second loss having the first one to Abu Dhabi in their previous match.

HH President of the UAE Cup is being played behind closed doors and without the presence of any spectators in accordance with the regulations and guidelines issued by the UAE Government following the Coronavirus outbreak.

Only players and officials are present at the venue while the matches are contested and regulated in standard fashion with official umpires, and the results are recorded officially.

Mr Zayed Khalifa Al Aboudi Al Zaabi, Ghantoot’s dynamic Executive Director commented: “We genuinely appreciate the understanding of our regular fans who are unfortunately deprived of watching world-class polo in the prestigious and signature event, the HH President of the UAE Cup 2020.

“However, we continue to abide by the advice of our Rulers, Government and health authorities as we continue to put the safety of our society at the forefront of all our endeavors.”

The ‘President of the UAE Cup’ offers a lucrative purse of half million DHS.

All games are being held at the state-of-the-art Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club in Abu Dhabi which was founded by HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and is run under the patronage and directives of his son, HH Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

AT A GLANCE

• What: HH President of the UAE Polo Tournament
• When: March 11-27
• Where: Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, Abu Dhabi
• Teams: 6 Polo Teams
• Tournament Handicap: 18 Handicap
• Watch it Live: www.presidentpolocup.ae
• Notes: Crowd Canceled

EVENT SPONSORS AND PARTNERS

• Governing Partner: Abu Dhabi Sports Council
• In association with: Emirates Polo Association
• Event Sponsors:
• YAS Capital Investments
• YAS International Properties LLC
• YAS International Development
• YAS International Holding
• YAS International Investment
• La Roche Pharmacy

Official Car: Premier Motors – Maserati

Contact Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club

• Telephone: +971 (50) 2333915
• Email: marketing@grpc.ae
• Nesrine Bengra

FOR MORE INFO:

• Official website: www.presidentpolocup.ae
• Official social media: www.instagram.com/ghantootpolo

HH President of the UAE Polo Cup continues without spectators keeping in line with UAE government guidelines.

Keeping in line with the regional health implications because of the spread of the Corona virus, Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club will continue to host the HH President of the UAE Polo Cup behind closed doors, a senior club executive has said.

The decision has been taken in respect of precautionary measures being wisely implemented by the UAE government across all sports activities and events.

The tournament is open only to players, and officials but will be contested bad, regulated in an official manner, with the results of the matches being officially recorded.

Should polo fans be interested in watching the matches, they can follow HH President of the UAE Polo Cup 2020 online at presidentpolocup.ae

Mr Zayed Al Aboudi Al Zaabi, Ghantoot’s Executive Director, said: Nobody wants to play sport behind closed doors, but we believe that it’s of paramount importance that we strictly follow the safety guidelines laid down by our leaders.

“It is our duty to protect our people and we at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club want to deliver a positive message as we take full responsibility to safeguard our citizens and sportsmen.

“We deeply appreciate your understanding on this important issue and we assure you that we will be continuing to monitor the Coronavirus situation, on a day-to-day basis, in order to abide by the regulations of the UAE government.”

For quick updates follow Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club on www.instagram.com/ghantootpolo

Contact Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club

• Telephone: +971 (50) 2333915
• EMAIL: marketing@grpc.ae  Nesrine Bengra
• FOR MORE INFO: www.grpc.ae
• Official website: www.grpc.ae
• Official social media : www.instagram.com/ghantootpolo

ABU DHABI: With the score of 9-8, Ghantoot Polo team won against Bangash while Al Habtoor edged past the UAE Polo team as the H.H. President of the UAE Polo Cup’s 20th edition got off to a perfect start at the only royal polo club in the UAE — Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club.

The Abu Dhabi polo team registered an easy win over Desert Palm by the score of 14-13, in another match.

Desert Palm won the 2019 edition of the H.H. President of the UAE Polo Cup, who defeated the UAE Polo team by the score of 10-8 in a thrilling final match.

The two-week long event held in the name of the President — H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and under the patronage of Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has attracted some of the leading polo players in the UAE and worldwide.

The prestigious 18-handicap polo tournament offers a lucrative prize purse of AED 500,000, of which 6 teams are in the fray.

The format of the event is a round-robin league with two top teams qualifying for the grand finals in which the competing teams include host Ghantoot Polo, UAE Polo, Abu Dhabi Polo, Desert Palm, Al Habtoor, and last but not the least, Bangdash Polo team.

The Abu Dhabi Sports Council is the governing partner for the H.H. President of the UAE Polo Cup in association with the Emirates Polo Association.

Here are the following sponsors of the event:

• YAS International Properties LLC
• YAS International Development
• YAS International Holding
• YAS International Investment and La Roche Pharmacy

Official Tournament Car : Maserati – Premier Motors

Opening Day Polo Match Results:

Abu Dhabi: 8 | Desert Palm: 3

• Abu Dhabi: Faris Al Yabhouni 0 (1 goal), Cesar Crespo 4 (1), Alfredo Cappella 9 (2), Martin Donovan 5 (4) — Total: 18
• Desert Palm: Yousef Bin Desmal 0, Ramiro Cordero 5 (1 goal), Martín Valent 5 (1), Manuel Toccalino 6. Total: 16
• Score (Abu Dhabi): 1-0, 3-1, 7-1, 7-2, 8-3.

Al Habtoor: 14 | UAE Polo: 13

• Al Habtoor: Mohammed Al Habtoor 0 (1 goal), Félix Esaín 2 (1), Mín Podestá 7 (1), Facundo Sola 9 (11). Total: 18
• UAE Polo: Sheikha Maitha 0, Benjamin Panelo 4 (1 goal), Tomás Panelo 6 (4), Tommy Beresford 6 (8). Total: 16
• Score (Al Habtoor): 3-4, 7-5, 9-8, 12-11, 14-13

Ghantoot Polo: 9 | Bangash: 8

• Ghantoot Polo: Nasser Al Shamsi 1, Marcos Panelo 4, Pablo Llorente 6, Cacu Araya 7. Total: 18
• Bangash: Heider Bangash 0, Federico Von Potobsky 5, Manuel Elizalde 6, Juanchi Ambroggio 6. Total: 17
• Score (Ghantoot Polo): 1-1, 2-6, 3-6, 5-7, 9-8

FIXTURES:

• March 16: 3:30pm: Habtoor vs. Bangash
• March 17: Ghantoot vs. Abu Dhabi: 2:30pm | Desert Palm vs UAE Polo: 4:30pm
• March 20: 3:30pm: Ghantoot vs. UAE Polo
• March 21: Desert Palm vs. Bangash: 2:30pm | Al Habtoor vs Abu Dhabi: 4:30pm
• March 24: Semi-finals
• March 27: Match for fifth place: 2:30pm | Final of HH President of UAE Polo Cup: 5pm