Members of the junior team pose for a picture with Lisa Matthews, Jan Azam, and other dignitaries at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club.

Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club of Emaar Hospitality Group, in association with Pakistan’s prestigious Islamabad Club, announced the participation of its Polo Academy junior players in the International Polo Challenge.

The two-day tournament will take place at the Islamabad Club, Pakistan, and matches are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

The announcement regarding Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club’s junior team in the tournament was made at a press conference held on Wednesday at the club in the presence of Lisa Matthews, General Manager of Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, and Jan Azam, Polo Manager of the club.

Four junior polo players from Polo Academy were selected to represent the team are 10-year-old New Zealand national Charlie Matthews, 11-year-old Emirati Hassan Al Abbar, 15-year-old Hermes Werle from Germany, and 13-year-old Syrian-born Ayden Al Ahmad Ketmawi.

Ahead of their participation in the International Polo Challenge, the Polo Academy’s junior team will play friendly matches against the local players.

Matthews said: "We are beyond proud and grateful for the passion of these young players for the sport and their commitment to represent the country in a global avenue.

"The Polo Academy of Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club has worked tirelessly to make Dubai a well-known training ground for beginners and advanced enthusiasts alike. Thank you to the Islamabad Club for this amazing opportunity. The exhibition matches to be held in Pakistan are a true testament that polo as a sport is immensely growing on the international scene, and we will continue to strengthen its vision.

"This year’s polo season has seen a number of junior matches that kept these young players engaged in the sport across polo clubs in the UAE. We are delighted to have four polo players competing in Islamabad’s International Polo Challenge, which is a great event to showcase many local and worldwide equestrian talents," Matthews added.

Azam said:  This is the first time ever that a junior team from the UAE is going to take part in an international event.

"We are geared up for the upcoming matches this weekend, with our junior polo players in great shape and confident to represent both the UAE and Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club.

"The four of them have been mastering the art of polo for more than two years now through weekly lessons and are indeed the future of this sport in the country. We are thankful to the Islamabad Club for extending all the support," he added.