GRPC marks UAE National Day gala with exhibition match treat
Zayed Khalifa Zayed Al Aboudi Al Zaabi presents a memento to Ali Al Bawardy, Chairman of Emirates Polo Association.
Amir Naqvi, Sports Editor
The Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club kicked off their 49th UAE National Day celebrations early on Wednesday with an exhibition match featuring some of the cream of UAE and overseas polo playing talent.
The nail-biting encounter between Ghantoot A and Ghantoot B teams was the highlight of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club’s UAE National Day Polo event organised in co-operation with Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
The exhibition game was held under the generous patronage of Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club.
Ali Al Bawardy, Chairman of Emirates Polo Association, was the guest of honour at the event. Zayed Khalifa Zayed Al Aboudi Al Zaabi, Executive Director of the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, honoured Bawardy with a memento inscribed with the picture of Sheikh Falah playing the ‘sport of kings’.
The match had all the elements to keep the sport’s enthusiasts watching the action broadcast live on YouTube, entertained throughout the four chukkas of play. Ghantoot B team had a perfect start as Abdullah Bin Desmal put them ahead with two goals by the end of the first chukka.
Players of both teams failed to get their names on the score-sheet during the second chukka, enabling Ghantoot B to hold on to their lead. Nasser Al Shamsi added one goal in the third chukka to stretch their advantage. However, their joy was short-lived as Ghantoot A rallied to effect a comeback with two goals coming from Ali Al Marri. The final chukka witnessed a tense battle with Ghantoot A’s Ramiro Cordero making all the difference through a standout performance.
Cordero’s dominant display turned the tide his team’s favour and it was entirely because of his three goals that Ghantoot A were able to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat as they wrapped the game 5-4.
The event took place behind closed doors in line with the UAE’s Covid-19 precautionary and preventive measures, and the club management followed the highest standards of health and safety norms to ensure everyone taking part is safe. Taking no risk, the management also ensured the players and staff present on the occasion were tested to rule out any risk factor.
Zaabi said: “Through our UAE National Day Polo event, the club was delighted to join the country in celebrating the spirit of solidarity and unity.
“As the UAE’s official annual event, National Day brings together its multitude of nationalities in a united celebration of inclusivity and tolerance.
“On the 2nd of December each year, the leadership and the people of the UAE celebrate the UAE National Day, which manifests the national will of the founding leaders, and the determination of the loyal sons of the homeland, to promote the concept of the union.”
Following the success of UAE National Day Polo, the Ghantoot Polo and Racing Club management will now turn their attention to host the first major tournament of the club’s calendar—Emirates International Polo Championship.
The 21st edition of the prestigious Emirates International Polo Championship will be held at the Ghantoot Polo and Racing Club from Dec.8-21.
With a rich history, the Emirates International Polo Championship is one of the most-anticipated polo tournaments in the UAE, attracting top players from around the globe and delivering the highest quality of polo. Zaabi also welcomed leading online brokers Capex.com, who have joined Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club as their new official trading partners for club’s new season.
“I genuinely thank Capex.com for joining us in the new season of the club. I also thank all of our esteemed partners and sponsors for their continuous support to the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club,” said Zaabi.
Madalina Rotaru, Chief Executive Officer of Key Way Markets Ltd, the operating company of CAPEX.com, said: “Our sponsorship policy vis-a-vis Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club — not only the biggest polo club in the UAE, but the biggest in the region — is in line with Capex.com’s corporate support to the sport of polo and our larger social commitment of giving back to the community. What better partners, therefore, to support the sport and the community in the region and more so, the UAE, than Ghantoot.
“We’ve been keenly following Ghantoot’s activities for a while, their support to the sport and their business model, match ours. Their focus and commitment to their principles and goals -- particularly to the community at large -- which have brought them success, are in perfect symmetry with the principles and goals we treasure and uphold,” she added.
Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club’s UAE National Day Polo was also supported by Yas International Properties LLC, Paris Reverie and Capex.com. Paris Reverie, a French-style brand that was created by experts who have years of experience in the perfumes industry joined club as new sponsor of the club activities.
