Members of the Abu Dhabi polo team celebrate with the trophy after the presentation ceremony.

The Abu Dhabi polo team emerged victorious and were crowned as champions at the final match of the third annual Emirates Polo Association, ADCB EPA Cup, held on Friday.

With the polo season in full swing and renowned for showcasing some of the best polo in the UAE, the thrilling finale of the ADCB EPA Cup was held at the Desert Palm Polo club and saw participation from 4 teams: the AM polo team led by Sheikha Alya Al Maktoum, the Ghantoot team led by Nasser Al Shamsi, the Abu Dhabi team led by Faris Al Yabhouni, and the Bhansali team led by Rishi Kumar Bhansali. The tournament was held from Jan.8– 17.

The tournament finale was attended by dignitaries and the UAE’s creme de la creme, who turned out in full force to support their favorite team, at the picturesque backdrop of the prestigious Desert Palm Polo Club.

With a laid-back atmosphere and Latin inspired theme, guests were privy to the best from the world of polo in an elegant and welcoming setting.

Ali Al Bwardy Chairman of Emirates Polo Association (EPA) shared his delight at the success of the tournament and said: “Our heartiest congratulations to the Abu Dhabi polo team. We are extremely proud to have partnered with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Savills Middle East to bring a thrilling tournament that spanned over a week and showcased the sport of kings in such a magnificent way.

“As a nation, we are fans of equestrian sports and have great respect for horses - any sport that can show off their speed, elegance and grace, so beautifully must be preserved and shared with all to enjoy. It is our endeavor to keep this great sport alive and thriving and we look forward to many more exciting tournaments,” he added.

“We’re delighted to have partnered with the Emirates Polo Association to introduce the first Savills Cup within the ADCB EPA Finals. As a sport with a strong heritage, stemming back to both the British and the Persian Empires, we felt it was the perfect affiliation – enabling us to bring a little bit of Britain to the region, and to support the local community,” commented Stan Ennor-Glynn, Head of International Residential Sales Middle East, Savills.

The event was conceptualized and executed by Capital D Studio and is sponsored by ADCB, Savills Middle East, Melia Desert Palm and Capital D Studio.

Meanwhile, The Dubai Open, the most coveted trophy of the five tournaments under the umbrella of the prestigious Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series, will run from Fe,16 to March 6, with participation from some of the world’s top teams and players, making it a stellar highlight on Dubai’s 2020 polo calendar.

The Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series tournaments, held under the patronage of Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, has grown to become the region’s premier set of polo competitions.

The Dubai Open — now in its eleventh edition — is certified by the World Polo Tour (WPT) since 2012 and played under the banner of the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA), adhering to its rules and provision of its umpires. It is also part of the WPT Championship Cup, considered the highest competition in terms of points and awards.