Bin Drai dominate final to clinch HH President of UAE Polo Cup title
Sheikh Sultan Bin Sheikh Falah and Sheikha Aysha Bint Sheikh Falah with the members of the Bin Drai team during the presentation ceremony.
Bin Drai dominated the proceedings from the beginning and made light work of their rivals, 11-6, in the final to bag the honours at the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club.
The 22nd edition of the showpiece event of the polo season was held in the name of the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and under the patronage of Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club.
Heading into the final, both teams were unbeaten in the tournament, and the clash was expected to be a tough one.
Making their intentions clear, Bin Drai made a perfect start and established a 4-0 lead over UAE Polo by the end of the first chukker.
UAE Polo pushed valiantly to make a comeback, but Bin Drai-led by MVP and the tournament’s leading scorer, Tomas Panelo, didn’t give much room.
Delivering their dominant performance, the free-scoring Bin Drai stretched their lead to 11-4 in the penultimate chukka.
Even though UAE Polo scored a few goals in the final chukka, Bin Drai laid their hands on the coveted trophy without any fuss.
Sheikh Sultan Bin Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikha Aysha Bint Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan graced the presentation ceremony and gave away the trophy to the winners.
"Watching the teams' performances throughout the competition was exhilarating. Congratulations to the winners. What a fantastic way to round out the season! Thanks to Sheikh Falah's support and his vision, which helped us to conduct another successful season," said Hamad Abdelrahman Alshaikh, Executive Director of the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club.
Earlier, Abu Dhabi edged past hosts Ghantoot 9-8 to win the subsidiary final.
HH President of the UAE Polo Cup, considered to be one of the most prestigious tournaments in the Middle East, saw the participation of six 18-goal teams comprising top Emirati and international players.
All the matches were played under the banner of the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA), under strict international supervision and according to the HPA rules and the provision of its umpires.
The governing partner for the HH President of the UAE Cup was the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and it was held in association with the UAE Polo Federation.
HH President of the UAE Polo Cup was sponsored by CAPEX, Capital Motion, Yas Mall, Jardin de Parfums, Beverly Hills Polo Club Arabia, Rolls-Royce, Emirates Hospitality Center, Dhabiya Studio, Lotus Holistic Center, and contributor Al Rais Holidays.
