Eight teams to battle for top honours at coveted IFZA Gold Cup

Amir Naqvi, Sports Editor

Following the success of the Silver Cup, the magnificent green fields of the Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club will be buzzing once again with pulsating action when IFZA Gold Cup 2021 (Dubai Open) gets underway from Feb.14.

Eight renowned teams from across the region will battle for top honours at the 12th edition of the Gold Cup (18-goal handicap), the most prestigious cup of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup (DPGC) Series.

The event will take place under the patronage of Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and run until March 5.

The Gold Cup is recognised and certified by the World Polo Tour (WPT) and has grown in parallel with the city of Dubai. It is the only tournament in the UAE (along with the Dubai Silver Cup and Dubai Challenge Cup) carrying this accreditation by WPT.

The Gold Cup is part of the WPT Championship Cup, and considered as one of the highest competition in terms of points, on par with tournaments held in Argentina, Spain, UK and US. It awards 125 points to its winners, 65 points to the finalists, 45 points to the semi-finalists and 30 points to all other participating players. The Dubai Open is played under the banner of the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) with tournaments being played under strict international supervision according to the HPA rules and provision of its umpires.

The draw for the IFZA Gold Cup 2021 took place at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort in Dubai on Monday. Mohammed K Al Habtoor, Vice Chairman and CEO of Al Habtoor Group, founder of the DPGC Series and patron of Habtoor Polo team, Martin Pedersen, Chairman of IFZA, Joseph Tayar, General Manager Al Habtoor Motors Prestige Division (Bentley Emirates), and Santiago Torreguitar, Tournament Director of the Emirates Polo Association graced the draw ceremony.

Habtoor Polo, who lifted Silver Cup after defeating UAE Polo in the final last week, will start their campaign against Ghantoot while Bangash face IFZA Mahra Polo on the opening day of the tournament. Two-time champions UAE Polo will be looking to complete a hat-trick as they launch their title defence against Abu Dhabi Polo.

Speaking to the media, Habtoor said: “The sports industry thrives in the strength of each athlete, the teams behind it and the support it receives from trusted partners. This season, we are grateful for the support of patrons and all our sponsors such as Bentley Emirates, which has been a part of the Dubai Open since 2010.

“Also, I am proud to receive the backing of IFZA as a title sponsor not only of the Silver Cup but also the Gold Cup tournament – which is a first for the Dubai Polo Gold Cup organisation. In addition, IFZA is the official sponsor of Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club’s 2021 Polo Season. This tremendous support is a demonstration of confidence for the team based on our hard work in delivering world-class polo events in the region that has placed Dubai in the forefront of the international polo scene.”

He added: “I am excited for the upcoming matches as the qualifying matches of the last tournament has shown a difference in performance from the teams. I wish all the teams the best of luck.”

Pedersen, said: “The Dubai Polo Gold Cup is a demonstration of the spirit of determination and resilience of the people of the UAE. In the middle of the current global challenges, and even with a sense of caution… we still dare to step out boldly. We at IFZA share this same spirit of determination, resilience and courage.”

This year’s Dubai Open is powered by International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) as the title sponsor.

Teams

Abu Dhabi Polo Team (Patron: Faris Al Yabhouni), Bangash Polo Team (Patron: Haider Bangash), Dubai Wolves by CAFU team (Patron: Habtoor Al Habtoor), Ghantoot Polo Team (Patron: Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan), Habtoor Polo Team (Patron: Mohammed K. Al Habtoor), IFZA- Mahra Polo Team (Patron: Rashid Al Habtoor), UAE Polo Team (Patron: Sheikha Maitha Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum) and Zedan Polo Team (Patron: Amr Zedan)