From left: Saeed Bin Houfan Al Mansouri, Ahmad Ali Al Nuaimi, Dr Manar Magdi, Hamad Abdelrahman Abdalla Ahmad Alshaikh, Madalina Rotaru and Nasser Al Shamsi pose for a picture.

Amir Naqvi, Sports Editor

Starting off with a humanitarian event, the iconic Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club (GRPC) will open its gates for the 2021-2022 season with the 12th edition of Pink Polo Day.

To be held under the patronage of Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, the Pink Polo Day is an inspiring initiative aimed at raising awareness about breast cancer in the UAE and the wider region.

The event is scheduled to take place on November 5 with all COVID-19 health and safety protocols, as mandated by the authorities, in place.

The Pink Polo exhibition match will be followed by the UAE National Day on November 26. Later, the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club will host the prestigious Emirates Polo Championship International from December 21-31.

With a rich history, the Emirates Polo Championship International attracts top players from around the globe and delivers the highest quality of polo.

Adding to their charitable events, Al Amal Polo Day is scheduled for January 14, 2022. Next event in the club’s calendar is Sultan Bin Zayed Polo Cup taking place from January 23 to February 4, 2022.

The highlight of the UAE polo season, and one of the UAE’s most-anticipated tournaments, the HH President of UAE Polo Cup, is slated for March 13-25, 2022.

Taking place in association with Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), the Pink Polo Day will also mark the resumption of equestrian activities at Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club.

Sheikh Falah said: “The initiative is aimed at raising awareness about the disease. Pink Polo Day initiative falls in line with the club’s community role — to support women’s health through fitness activities, seminars and various services that motivate them to take care of themselves, and to be able to care for their families.”

Teams representing different clubs will play exhibition matches to mark the Pink Polo Day.

Details of the event were disclosed in a press conference held at the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club on Tuesday.

“Pink Polo Day will definitely help raise awareness about breast cancer. Such events are an integral part of the policy at Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club,” said Hamad Abdelrahman Abdalla Ahmad Alshaikh, Executive Director of the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club.

“We have been working with our committed sponsors, friends and patrons of Ghantoot to make this event a success,” he added.

Aside from the Pink Polo Day, the club has organised a number of online awareness sessions to mark the breast cancer awareness month — Pink October.

The sessions were held in association with Land Department Dubai, Ministry of Finance, Ajman University, Khawarizmi International College and Apparel Group.

The club reached around 1000 women and provided free mammogram scans for all women aged 40 and above in collaboration with Reem Hospital.

Saeed Bin Hoofan Al Mansouri, Vice Chairman of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, thanked the sponsors for supporting the club’s initiative.

Ahmad Ali Al Nuaimi, Managing Director of Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed’s Private Office, Dr Manar Magdi, Head of Marketing and Business Development at Reem Hospital Abu Dhabi, Nasser Al Shamsi, skipper Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, Madalina Rotaru, CEO of Capex.com, and Hicham Bekar, Head of Polo and Breeding Department, were prominent among those who were present on the occasion.