Six teams in fray as stage set for 15th edition of prestigious Gold Cup

Gulf Today, Sports Reporter

One of the flagship events within the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series (DPGCS), the Gold Cup 2024 Dubai Open is set to begin on February 7 with the finals taking place on Feb.24.

The much-anticipated Dubai Open features a competitive 20-goal handicap on its 15th year. This year's edition brings together six formidable teams vying for the prestigious championship trophy, marking a significant showdown among champions.

Details of the prestigious Gold Cup were revealed during a press conference followed by a draw, which took place at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort Hotel on Monday.

Presence of members of participating teams, and sponsors marked the beginning of an exciting journey towards the tournament. The Gold Cup holds a distinguished status, acknowledged and certified by the esteemed World Polo Tour (WPT). The tournament operates under the WPT Championship Cup, elevating the competition to one of the most prestigious in terms of points on the global polo stage.

An integral part of the UAE Polo Federation, the tournaments under the DPGCS adhere to the regulations of the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA). Every match is conducted under the watchful eye of certified HPA umpires, ensuring the highest standards of play in alignment with international polo regulations. The

Gold Cup, within this dynamic series, stands as a testament to the commitment to excellence and sportsmanship within the vibrant polo community of Dubai.

The press conference was graced by Mohammed Al Habtoor, CEO and Vice Chairman of Al Habtoor Group, was joined by Joseph Tayar, the General Manager of Bentley Emirates, Saeed Mohammed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council, Mohammad AL Huraiz, Board Member of the UAE Polo Federation, and Santiago Torreguitar, Tournament Director of the UAE Polo Federation.

Mohammed Al Habtoor expressed pride in announcing the 15th consecutive year of hosting the esteemed Dubai Open by the Dubai Polo Gold Cup organization.

He highlighted the upcoming tournament as a gathering of top-tier polo players from across the globe, emphasizing the event as a manifestation of their deep-seated passion for the sport.

Habtoor eagerly anticipated welcoming not only the players but also their families and fans to partake in the excitement, showcasing the commitment to advancing the ‘Sport of Kings’. He underscored how this long standing tradition has become a source of pride for the UAE.

Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series was founded in 2009 by Mohammed Al Habtoor, patron of the Habtoor Polo team and Chairman of the UAE Polo Federation. The DPGC Series started out with one tournament — the Gold Cup (Dubai Open) — and has grown into a series of five premier Polo tournaments in the Middle East — the Silver Cup, Gold Cup, Polo Masters Cup, Dubai Challenge Cup and the Dubai Cup.

The Gold Cup is on par with world-class events held in Argentina, Spain, United Kingdom and the US.