Stage set for President of the UAE Polo Cup

Amir Naqvi, Sports Editor

The 22nd edition of the His Highness the President of the UAE Polo Cup, considered to be one of the most prestigious tournaments in Asia and the Middle East, will take place at the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club.

The HH President of the UAE Polo Cup will begin on March 13 and conclude on March 27.

The showpiece event of the polo season will be held in the name of the President Cup, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and under the patronage of Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club.

The country’s best players will be joined by professionals from across the globe during the two-week long tournament.

The 18-handicap tournament is a round-robin league with the two top teams qualifying for the grand finals.

"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," said Sheikh Falah.

"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," he added.

All the matches will be played under the banner of the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA), under strict international supervision according to the HPA rules and provision of its umpires.

Hamad Abdelrahman Alshaikh, Executive Director of the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, said: "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."

The governing partner for the HH President of the UAE Cup is the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and it’s being held in association with the Emirates Polo Association.

All the matches will take place at the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club.

Last year, Ghantoot Polo overcame Habtoor 9-7 to win the thrilling final of the 21st edition of the HH President of UAE Polo Cup.

On the opening day of the tournament, three matches are scheduled to take place. Defending champions Ghantoot will start a campaign against Habtoor Polo.

Bin Drai will meet the Wolves, and UAE Polo will lock horns with Abu Dhabi Polo.

UAE Polo, led by Sheikha Maitha Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will be among the favourites for the prestigious title.

Last week, the Sheikha Maitha-led UAE Polo team edged past Habtoor to lift the Gold Cup crown at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club 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.