Players in action during an exhibition match at the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club.

As the whole of the UAE proudly joined hands to celebrate its 48th National Day, Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club joined in the countrywide festivities by hosting a fun day of entertainment with the highlight being an exhibition polo match.

The match was played in the true spirit of sportsmanship between Grantoot A and Ghantoot B and kept the large crowd of polo enthusiasts and visitors to the state-of-the-polo club in Abu Dhabi totally entertained.

The game, which was played over four chukkers, fittingly ended in a 3-3 draw, with Ghantoot A’s Argentine pro Manuel Toccalino and Ghantoot B’s Abdullah Bin Desmal each scoring twice.

“Sport relies on the spirit of sportsmanship,” said Bin Desmal. “Exhibition matches like these are all about fair play. Given the fact that it was the country’s National Day it was important to portray good sportsmanship which is the responsibility of every athlete.

“I think we all enjoyed the game. It’s still early in the season and most of the players are still getting into the groove. We’ve got a long way to go and look forward to some exciting times during the rest of the season.”

Alongside the polo game Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club conducted several entertaining shows for the public with prizes and gifts to be won by one and all.

Zayed Alaboudi Al Zaabi, the club’s Managing Director, congratulated the UAE on the occasion of its 48th Anniversary saying: “It is our duty here at the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club to join with the UAE community on such a historic day and to celebrate the future, which looks brighter and brighter.

“I would like to congratulate the staff at our club for their efforts to ensure that the 48th National Day would be very special.

Zaabi has also thanked Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for all the support he has given the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club for the past three decades.

“Equestrian sports are an important tradition of the Emirati people and we at Ghantoot will continue to work hard to maintain a very high standard of organization skills as we head into 2020, which is a very significant year for the country with the Dubai Expo.”