UAE Polo Cup

Asia, Polo News

Ghantoot to meet Habtoor in HH President of UAE Polo Cup final

29. March 2021

ABU DHABI: With third straight victory, hosts Ghantoot stormed into the final 21st edition of the HH President of UAE Polo Cup and set up a mouthwatering clash with Habtoor.

The two most dominant teams of the UAE will go head-to-head in a highly anticipated final scheduled to take place at the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club later.

The final scheduled for Friday has been cancelled after the death of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and the Minister of Finance, who passed away on Wednesday morning.

Zayed Khalifa Zayed Al Aboudi Al Zaabi, Executive Director of the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, expressed heartfelt condolences to Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and to Al Maktoum’s family, on the death of Sheikh Hamdan.

The showpiece event of the polo season is being held in the name of The President 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.

Ghanoot will be gunning for the second biggest title of the season after clinching the prestigious IFZA Gold Cup earlier.

The hosts qualified for the final following a narrow 10-9 win over Habtoor in the last qualifying round of matches held on Tuesday.

Raja Abul Jubain’s field goal put Habtoor ahead in the fifth minute of the game. Ghantoot responded immediately with Marcos Araya converting a 30- yard penalty.

Facundo Sola put through the post to give Habtoor slim lead by the end of first chukker. Ghantoot star and inform Argentine Pablo Llorente scored three in the second chukker to make it 4-3.

Quick to catch up was Sola scoring 2 goals for the team that levelled the game. Both the teams tried hard to gain upper hand as forth chukker saw flurry of goals.

The determining chukker had Marcos Araya score three goals that sealed the win for Ghantoot. Despite defeat, Habtoor advanced to the final after finishing second in the points table as they posted two victories in the previous rounds.

Delighted with the win and ticket for final, Llorente said: “Since we are the hosts of the tournament, so we want to lift President of UAE Polo Cup.

“Winning games in a row gives confidence to the team. We have really worked hard to reach here and looking forward to play in the finals where We have got to put our best foot forward and give our best out there,” he added.

Abu Dhabi Polo edged past Yas Holding Polo 11-10 in a thriller. They both will now play for subsidiary final of the event. Gonzalo Deltour scored six goals and played key role in their victory.

The governing partner for the HH President of the UAE Cup is Abu Dhabi Sports Council and it’s being held in association with the Emirates Polo Association. Event sponsors include Yas International Holding, Yas International Properties LLC, Al ittihad, Capex.com, Porsche Centre Abu Dhabi – Ali & Sons Co. LLC, Yas TV and Tack and Truck. Fans can catch the action live Yas Tv and at the official website of the tournament — www.presidentpolocup.ae

ABU DHABI: With third straight victory, hosts Ghantoot stormed into the final 21st edition of the HH President of UAE Polo Cup and set up a mouthwatering clash with Habtoor.…

Asia, Polo News

Dhs500,000 up for grabs as President of UAE Polo Cup begins on March 18.

9. March 2021

Celebrating 21 years of continuous success and providing a platform to emerging Emirati talents, the UAE’s only Royal Polo Club will open its doors for the biggest event of their calendar.

The country’s best players will be joined by professionals from across the globe as they compete in the 21st edition of HH President of UAE Polo Cup, being held from March 18-27. The event carries a prize purse of a whopping Dhs500,000.

The coveted competition will be held in the name of The President 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.

HH President of UAE Polo Cup, considered to be one of the most prestigious tournaments in Asia and the Middle East, sees four 18-goal teams composed of top Emirati and international players compete on the magnificent green fields of the iconic Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club (GRPC).

Participating teams are Ghantoot Polo, Yas International Holding Polo, Habtoor Polo and Abu Dhabi Polo.

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

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic last year forced the organisers to postpone the previous edition of the event midway. Due to the ongoing global health implications of the coronavirus and precautionary measures being implemented by the UAE government, the current edition of the competition will be held behind closed doors.

“We are in high spirits about hosting our high-goal tournament after a long withdrawal from sporting events in the past year. We will be seeing new and returning faces on the polo field in the coming days,” said Sheikh Falah.

“This edition of the HH President of UAE Polo Cup is more special as we are marking the 21st anniversary of the event. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our patrons, partners and sponsors for being with us for the past two decades,” added Sheikh Falah.

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.

“It gives me great pleasure to announce that Ghantoot is all set to host the historic 21st edition of the HH President of the UAE Polo Club,” said Zayed Khalifa Zayed Al Aboudi Al Zaabi, Executive Director of the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club.

“This tournament is globally recognised and puts 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.

Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, established Ghantoot Polo Club in 1994 as the only Royal facility in the UAE. Today the patron of the Ghantoot Polo team, his son Sheikh Falah, continues his legacy through his love of the sport.

Desert Palm won the 2019 edition of the HH President of the UAE Cup after beating UAE Polo Team 10-8 in a thrilling final.

Ghantoot Polo team will be among the favourites this year as on Friday they lifted the IFZA Gold Cup 2021 following their victory over UAE Polo in the final at Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club.

This was the second big title of the season for Ghantoot after they clinched the Emirates Polo Championship International in December 2020.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFJGO7UEDJQ[/embedyt]

Celebrating 21 years of continuous success and providing a platform to emerging Emirati talents, the UAE’s only Royal Polo Club will open its doors for the biggest event of their…

Asia, Polo News

Urgent Annoucement – HH President of the UAE Polo Cup 2020 to be postponded

19. March 2020

Due to the ongoing global health implications of the coronavirus and precautionary measures being implemented by the UAE government, the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club have announced to postpone the ongoing 20^th edition of the HH President of the UAE Polo Cup with effect from Thursday, March 19.

The Ghantoot Polo and Racing Club released a statement on Thursday evening saying following the directives of HH Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed al Nahyan, chairman of the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, it is decided to postpone HH President of the UAE Polo Cup of polo season 2019-2020 with immediate effect.

“As organiser of the prestigious HH President of the UAE Polo Cup, we have been in permanent contact with the government authorities in the UAE. The decision has been taken to ensure protection of all the participants,” said HE Zayed Khalifa Al Aboudi Al Zaabi – Executive Director, adding that “safety comes at the top of all priorities. The decision has been circulated to all concerned entities and participating polo teams”

Official website: www.presidentpolocup.ae
Official social media: www.instagram.com/ghantootpolo

© Thomas Wirth

Asia, Polo News

Ghantoot march on as brave UAE keep hopes alive

19. March 2020

Araya the star for the hosts in victory over Abu Dhabi.

Hosts Ghantoot Polo Team continued to display match-winning form as they defeated Abu Dhabi by 11 goals to 6 in the 20th HH President of the UAE Polo Cup on March 17.

It was the second successive win for Ghantoot after their thrilling victory over Bangash Polo Team. In the day’s second game of the day, Her Highness Sheikha Maitha Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum led the UAE Polo Team to a convincing 11-7 victory over Desert Palm. It was the first win for UAE following their narrow defeat to Al Habtoor, while Desert Palm suffered their second loss having the first one to Abu Dhabi in their previous match. HH President of the UAE Cup is being played behind closed doors and without the presence of any spectators in accordance with the regulations and guidelines issued by the UAE Government following the Coronavirus outbreak.

Only players and officials are present at the venue while the matches are contested and regulated in standard fashion with official umpires, and the results are recorded officially. Mr Zayed Khalifa Al Aboudi Al Zaabi, Ghantoot’s dynamic Executive Director commented: “We genuinely appreciate the understanding of our regular fans who are unfortunately deprived of watching world-class polo in the prestigious and signature event, the HH President of the UAE Cup 2020. “However, we continue to abide by the advice of our Rulers, Government and health authorities as we continue to put the safety of our society at the forefront of all our endeavors.” The ‘President of the UAE Cup’ offers a lucrative purse of half million DHS.

All games are being held at the state-of-the-art Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club in Abu Dhabi which was founded by HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and is run under the patronage and directives of his son, HH Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

AT A GLANCE
What: HH President of the UAE Polo Tournament
When: March 11-27
Where: Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, Abu Dhabi
Teams: 6 Polo Teams
Tournament Handicap: 18 Handicap
Watch it Live: www.presidentpolocup.ae
Notes: Crowd Cancelled

EVENT SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
• Governing Partner: Abu Dhabi Sports Council
• In association with: Emirates Polo Association
• Event Sponsors:
• YAS Capital Investments
• YAS International Properties LLC
• YAS International Development
• YAS International Holding
• YAS International Investment
• La Roche Pharmacy

Official Car:
• Premier Motors – Maserati

Official website: www.presidentpolocup.ae
Official social media: www.instagram.com/ghantootpolo

© Thomas Wirth

Araya the star for the hosts in victory over Abu Dhabi. Hosts Ghantoot Polo Team continued to display match-winning form as they defeated Abu Dhabi by 11 goals to 6…

Asia, Polo News

AL HABTOOR LEAVE IT LATE TO OVERCOME GRITTY BANGASH

17. March 2020

Facunodo Sola hits match-winning hat-trick in 5^th chukker.

Al Habtoor’s leading player Facuno Solo could not have hit peak form at a better time as he scored a stunning hat-trick in a tense final chukker to help hs team defeat a gritty Bangash 12-9 in the 20^th HH President of the UAE Polo Cup at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort on March 16.

Both team were lock at 8-goal each at the end of the fourth chukker, but it was Al Habtoot who came out stronger in the decider to strike four goals without conceding any, for a resounding victory. It was their second of the six-team 18-goal handicap tournament, following their 14-12 victory over the UAE Polo Team in an earlier game. One of the UAE’s leading polo clubs and tournament organisers, Al Habtoot comprise a strong team lead by Mohammed Al Habtoor, Felix Esian, Martin Podesta and the mercurial nine-handicapper, Solo. “I am delighted with the way the team performed under pressure,” said Al Habtoor. “The whole performance was very good right from the start. “We also won a tense match against UAE Polo Team which shows that we can handle the pressure. By playing this way and staying positive will also help the team to perform better. Overall out performance was solid and we look forward to our next match against Abu Dhabi (March 21).

“A win there will put us in a strong position in the tournament,” Despite losing two games on the trot Haider Bangash remained up-beat and said: “Full marks to our players for putting up such a spirted performance for the second consecutive match. “We lost both matches narrowly, which means that we can still mix it with the top teams. Perhaps we need to look at some things in our strategy and hopefully raise our game in the coming matches. Bangash play Desert Palm Polo Team in their third league match on March 21.

The ‘President of the UAE Cup’ offers a lucrative purse of AED 500,000.

The final of the tournament scheduled for March 27. All games are being held at the state-of-the-art Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club in Abu Dhabi which was founded by HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and is run under the patronage and directives of his son, The Chairman of Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club HH Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

FORTHCOMING MATCHES

Tuesday, March 17

2.30pm Ghantoot vs Abu Dhabi

4.30 Desert Palm vs UAE

Friday, March 21

3.30pm Ghantoot vs UAE

Saturday, March 22

2.30pm Desert Palm vs Bangash

4.30pm Al Habtoor vs Abu Dhabi

Tuesday, March 24

Semifinals

Friday, March 27

Final

AT A GLANCE

What: HH President of the UAE Polo Tournament

When: March 11-27

Where: Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, Abu Dhabi

Teams: 6 Polo Teams

Tournament Handicap: 18 Handicap

Watch it Live: www.presidentpolocup.ae

Notes: Crowd Cancelled

EVENT SPONSORS AND PARTNERS

Governing Partner: Abu Dhabi Sports Council
In association with: Emirates Polo Association
Event Sponsors:
YAS Capital Investments
YAS International Properties LLC
YAS International Development
YAS International Holding
YAS International Investment
La Roche Pharmacy
Official Car:
Premier Motors – Maserati

Official website: www.presidentpolocup.ae
Official social media: www.instagram.com/ghantootpolo

© Thomas Wirth

Facunodo Sola hits match-winning hat-trick in 5th chukker. Al Habtoor’s leading player Facuno Solo could not have hit peak form at a better time as he scored a stunning hat-trick in…

Asia, Polo News

Hosts Ghantoot rally late for exciting victory over Bangash

16. March 2020

HH President of the UAE Cup 2020 gets off to a busy start.

Hosts Ghantoot Polo Team went on a blistering attack in the fifth and final chukker to overcome a two goal deficit and defeat Bangash 9-8 on an action-packed opening day in the 2020 HH President of the UAE Polo Cup on Wednesday.

Ghantoot trailed their rivals 6-8 with less than seven minutes to play, but two goals each by their Argentinian professionals, Pablo LLorente and Marcos Araya, helped them turn impending defeat into a highly rewarding victory.

Both Llorente and Araya totally four goals each for the match played on a 18-handicap format over five chukkers. The star player for Bangash was the irresistible Manuel Elixalde who scores six of his team’s eight goals in a dominating display of high-quality polo at the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club. All the six participating teams were in action on a fun-filled opening day featuring competitive matches. Meanwhile, Al Habtoor’s Facundo Solo was in red-hot form scoring as many as 11 times in his team’s 14-13 victory over UAE Polo Team. The top scorer for the UAE was veteran Tomas Beresfors who struck eight goals in a match that could have gone any way.

The UAE were led by Her Highness Sheikha Maitha Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and also featured Benjamin and Tomas Panelo. In the day’s third match Abu Dhabi Polo Team dominated Desert Palm for most of the 35 minutes of action for a 8-3 victory. The leading scorer for the winners was Martin Donovan with four goals while Ramiro Cordero, Martin Valent and Manuel Toccalino scored a goal apiece for Desert Palm. The ‘President of the UAE Cup’ offers a lucrative purse of AED 500,000. The final of the tournament scheduled for March 27.

Mr Zayed Alaboudi Al Zaabi, Ghantoot’s Managing Director congratulated the winners and wished the losers good luck for the remaining matches. “We could not have hoped for a better start to this prestigious tournament, which is held in the name of HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE.

AT A GLANCE

What: HH President of the UAE Polo Tournament

When: March 11-27

Where: Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, Abu Dhabi

Teams: 6 Polo Teams

Tournament Handicap: 18 Handicap

Watch it Live: www.presidentpolocup.ae

Notes: Crowd Cancelled