Ghantoot A polo team emerge winner at UAE National Day Cup

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Marking the country's 50th year of the Spirit of the Union, the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club (GRPC) hosted UAE National Day Cup 2021.

Ghantoot A, featuring Sheikha Maitha Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, took the top honours in the exhibition match.

The event was held under the patronage of Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club.

Ghantoot A and Ghantoot B clashed during the one-day tournament.

Ghantoot A started well and gained 4-1 lead with skipper Nasser Al Shamsi leading from the front by scoring twice.

Mohammed Al Habtoor and Yousuf Bin Desmal added one each.

Sheikha Maitha scored one while Shamsi increased his tally to three as Ghantoot A stretched their lead 6-3 by the end of second chukker.

Ghantoot B tried to stage a comeback but it was too late.

Sheikha Maitha’s double in the last chukka ensures Ghantoot A’s victory at the end.

Faris Al Yabhouni, Tariq Al Bawardi, Ali Al Marri and Guillermo Healy represented Ghantoot B.

Hamad Abdelrahman Alshaikh, Executive Director of the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, congratulated the winners.

“Celebrating the UAE National Day, which coincides this year with the ‘Year of the 50th’, is an important national occasion to express pride in our nation, and celebrate the march of achievements, excellence and leadership that the UAE has established in various fields — regionally and internationally,” he said.

Sheikh Sultan Bin Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Saeed Bin Hoofan Al Mansouri, Vice Chairman of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, Hamad Abdelrahman Alshaikh and other dignitaries were present during the presentation ceremony.

The event was supported by club’s valued partners including governing partner Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Capex, Abu Dhabi police, Abu Dhabi Waste Management Center (Tadweer), National archives, Emirates Heritage Club, Dhabian Equestrian Club, Fazaa volunteer’s team, Enzo, H&H, Flowater and Ghantoot Equestrian Supplies.