AMAALA

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The new edition of POLO+10 WORLD is online!

29. May 2020

Available for download on our website for mobile or desktop use or print by subscription at hello@poloplus10.com

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Oliver Winter, President | German Polo Association DPV
© Bernhard Willroth

Dear friends of POLO+10, dear Polo friends,

the Covid-19 pandemic and its consequences influence our everyday life during these weeks. The first concern of course is for our families and friends. Protecting their health and limiting the spread of the virus still is our greatest common obligation.

We are all asked to adapt to the current circumstances, follow the restrictions in our sport and the advice for personal distancing where necessary.

And we can see that in following official advice we are successfully fighting Covid-19. As a result in more and more countries the strict measures will be eased in the upcoming weeks, a return to limited training slowly is possible. Polo clubs and stables affected from the restrictions have mastered the special challenges very well. Despite the sometimes limiting possibilities, the care for the horses was and is always upheld. And fortunately the good and close cooperation with the authorities has made it possible to quickly implement individual training plans.

Our Polo clubs and all their staff have made the best of the situation so far, for which I thank them on behalf of all Polo players!

But despite these positive experiences, the Corona virus has also affected our sport noticeably. Especially those of us who live from and with Polo, the coaches, referees, grooms, but also professional players and tournament organizers, have been hit economically by the effects of the pandemic.

We see that individual training in many clubs is possible again, that many of us can continue their work with the horses. Many clubs are currently preparing for a reduced season, so unfortunately we will not see every tournament originally scheduled for this year. Main events such as the European Polo Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan and various big national tournaments are already postponed to 2021. And the training of young people will probably only be possible to a very limited extent in this 2020 season.

Still we should be optimistic for the second half of this year. As soon as possible we will see small tournaments being considered in many places and later in the year we all hope for further liftings of the sanctions and maybe some High Goal events. Polo is a mesmerizing and dynamic team sport. It is our passion to live it and to share it with our family, friends and the many fans and spectators.

We are experiencing strong solidarity in the Polo family and I am very happy to see the support and help offered everywhere. I hope you enjoy this edition of POLO+10 and that we will meet again soon at a Polo ground. Please stay healthy and take care!

Let‘s enjoy Polo!

Oliver Winter, President | German Polo Association DPV

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Polo News, South America

Global polo star Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras unveiled as Brand Ambassador for Saudi Arabia’s AMAALA ultra-luxury resort destination

29. January 2020

Argentinian polo legend to help develop world-class equestrian facilities at AMAALA

Global polo star and Ralph Lauren model, Ignacio Figueras, has been named a brand ambassador for AMAALA, the ultra-exclusive tourism destination under development on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast.

More commonly known as ‘Nacho’, Figueras is ranked one of the top 100 polo players in the world. A regular on international TV programmes, the star has a huge global following and was once voted the second most handsome man in the world by the readers of Vanity Fair magazine. In his latest role, Nacho will help shape the world-class polo facilities at AMAALA and represent the brand at international polo matches.

“I have always said my mission in life is to bring polo to the world a little more, so the chance to help shape what will be the world’s best polo facilities is an incredibly exciting opportunity and one that I simply could not turn down,” commented Figueras. “I will consult on the overall strategy including design, construction, operations, marketing and event planning of polo facilities at AMAALA.”

As an AMAALA Ambassador focused on the sport of polo, Nacho will be tasked with establishing prestigious polo events at AMAALA, as well as around the world through team sponsorships and other activations. He will help establish the AMAALA Polo Training Academy, encouraging youth participation in the sport and provide select guests with the chance to train with him as their personal polo coach.

Commenting on the agreement, AMAALA Chief Executive Officer Nicholas Naples said, “Our partnership with Nacho demonstrates how seriously we view polo as a component of the AMAALA sport and lifestyle experience. Nacho regularly ranks among the world’s top players with a profile that transcends the sport itself earning him the moniker as the ‘David Beckham of polo’. He is the ideal ambassador for the world-class facilities that will help grow the sport of polo in Saudi Arabia.”

Design of all polo facilities will be based on international benchmarks, and will include a suitable number, size and location of polo assets and other equestrian facilities to make it a world-class venue. Amenities will include an equestrian-themed hotel and a country club, paddock villas and estates, horse stables, horse-boarding facilities and horse spa/recovery treatment areas. The facilities will also feature visitor areas, horse trails and horseback riding for recreational purposes. There will also be pony camps for children.

“This is very exciting for the sport of polo in the Kingdom,” commented Chairman of the Saudi Polo Federation Amr Zedan. “The facilities being planned at AMAALA are truly world-class and will inspire a new generation of young Saudis to take up the sport and to learn from global stars like Nacho.”

Following the official partnership signing, Nacho led an AMAALA polo team to victory at the historical AlUla Desert Polo Championship. The first match organised in association with the Saudi Polo Federation, as well as the Royal Commission for AlUla, was staged as part of the Winter at Tantora festival. Featuring four teams of three players including Team AMAALA, Team AlUla, Team Al Nahla Bentley and Team Richard Mille, the championship saw Team AMAALA’s historic victory, culminating in an award ceremony presented by His Royal Highness Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal the chairman of the General Authority for Sports.

AMAALA is anchored around the three pillars of wellness and sports, arts and culture, and sun, sea and lifestyle. It is also dedicated to sustainable building and operational practices, with environment preservation and enhancement paramount to the success of the ambitious project.

Photos: AlUla Saudi Polo Federation

AMAALA Chief Executive Officer Nicholas Naples pictured (l-r) with Polo Superstar Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Figueras.