For the second time, Port Ghalib has proven that it is more than capable of becoming a equestrian sports. Nestled in the Egyptian desert on the shores of the Red Sea, Port Ghalib is a premier holiday destination offering all-inclusive packages and, most importantly, a Polo club that welcomes players from around the world to participate in its unique sporting events.
As in the previous year, Port Ghalib Polo Club once again hosted the International Chovken Festival, welcoming players from Poland, Nigeria, Egypt, and Kuwait. For this rare occasion, the Polo field was specially closed and transformed into a Chovken field, officially prepared under the auspices of the International Chovken Federation (ICF), the governing body of this ancient Persian sport, closely related to its younger counterpart, Polo. Readers interested in learning more about the fundamentals of Chovken are invited to revisit our previous article on the subject.
What is Chovken, and Why Every Polo Player Should Know About It
This three-day event took place from January 8 to January 10 under delightful weather conditions, with temperatures reaching a comfortable 25°C and a refreshing breeze coming in from the Red Sea. Beyond the sporting action, the Chovken Festival featured a rich cultural program, including traditional Arabic belly dancing and folkloric tanoura dances. Naturally, the event was accompanied by exceptional hospitality, with activities arranged throughout the resort and in traditional Bedouin tents, creating an authentic Egyptian experience for all participants and guests.
The success of the festival was made possible thanks to Mr. Hossam Al Karafi, owner of Port Ghalib Polo Club, and Dr. Wael Algendy, Director of the Port Ghalib Sports Festival. Both are highly motivated to open their doors to even more international Polo and Chovken players in the future. Dates for the next Chovken Festival will be announced soon, taking into account the busy international calendar of the International Chovken Federation.
Upcoming highlights of the ICF include the South American Chovken Tournament in Argentina in February 2026, as well as the World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan, last held in 2024 and won by Team Azerbaijan. Chovken will also return to Nigeria in April with a special milestone: the African Ladies Chovken Championship. This historic event is being organized by the African Director of the ICF, Mr. Nura Kangiwa, who emphasized that it is now time for women to take center stage in the sport. Chovken, long regarded as a sport of gentlemen, has always included strong and dedicated women throughout its history—women who are now ready to further promote this fascinating, tradition-rich discipline.
The International Chovken Federation welcomes communication with club owners worldwide who are interested in organizing a Chovken event at their facilities.
