HH Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, has endorsed the clubs tournaments and events agenda for the polo season 2020-2021, which includes many local, international championships and events that will commence on the 6th of November 2020 and wrapping up the club activities by 26th March 2021. Based on the decisions and recommendations of the clubs board members. The meeting was held on Sunday, 26th of July, 2020 (remotely) through a video call program. Led by His Excellency Saeed Bin Hoofan Al Mansoori – Vice Chairman of the clubs board members and in the presence of His Excellency / Zayed Khalifa Zayed Al Aboudi Al Zaabi – Executive Director of the club, and board members Mr. Fares Suhail Al-Yabhouni, Mr. Abdullah Mohammed Ahmed Abdullah Bin Desmal Al-Suwaidi, Mr. Nasser Abdullah Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, Mr. Ali Salem Hamad Masoud Al-Marri.
His Excellency Zayed Khalifa Zayed Al-Aboudi Al-Zaabi, commenced the meeting with conveying the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan – Chairman of Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, followed by discussions with the board members and the clubs team about the upcoming season plans and thanked them for their great support on the previous period and wishes to have yet another distinguished polo season in the UAE community on the upcoming season.
The clubs board members approved the polo season agenda as well as confirming that the polo season will contain three tournament rankings yearly (low level 4 – 6 Handicap , medium level 10 – 12 Handicap, High level 18 Handicap ) to allow the largest number of team patrons as well as national players to participate in the different seasons championships.
With a great success achieved in the 2019-2020 polo season by the support of the governing partner Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the contribution of many national, international institutions. The excitement and anticipation is building as Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club the only royal polo club in the country embarks on a historic season hosting its traditional opener – Pink Polo Day on Friday, 6th November 2020 – 11th edition, which is a charity event dedicated to increase awareness about the breast cancer. Marking the 26th year of the establishment of Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club by the late President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in 1994 as a one-of-a-kind sporting venue.
Over the years the club, which is ideally located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, has hosted Royal families, visiting Kings, famous personalities, and some of the world’s best polo players. It is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and exclusive polo clubs in the Middle East having created a niche for itself in the world of polo.
Opening the new season comes in an exceptional case with the team of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club pledging to keep precaution measures as per the UAE regulations to maintain public safety. And so, the clubs program continues; on the 27th of November holding a polo exhibition match celebrating the 49th annual UAE National Day.
On December 6th to December 18th, the first polo tournament launches with Sultan Bin Zayed Polo Cup in its second edition, with a medium Handicap level (10 – 12 Handicap). First edition marked its champion team which was Ghantoot YAS Polo Team who was led by Her Highness Sheikha Maitha Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, after defeating Ghantoot Maserati Polo Team; result 6-4 on a game full of polo thrill and excitement.
The excitement remains as January 8th, 2021 to the 22nd of the same month celebrates the twentieth anniversary of the Emirates Polo Championship International with Medium Handicap of (10 – 12 Handicap). This tournament which is considered one of the finest polo tournaments in the country witnesses a wide participation of distinguished professional polo teams and players.
On February the 5th, 2021, Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club under the gracious patronage of His Highness Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will organize a charity polo event to support the UAE Red Crescent (for orphans) in its fifth edition, which the club is keen to organize annually as a local initiative dedicated for donating to UAE Red Crescent. The event will be followed by a charity event called “Al Amal Polo Day for People of Determination” on the 26th of the same month with a fun filled day for children with special needs; a polo game as well as dedicating charitable proceeds to support centres of people of determination.
The club grandstand will witness from March 12th to 26th, HH President of the UAE Polo Cup on its twenty-first edition, with great participation and valuable prizes and accompanying exciting activities creating a wonderful opportunity to enjoy watching the game arts and high-tech polo skills in the country with a high handicap of 18 Handicap level, this tournament is known as the most prestigious tournaments in the country and the region.
His Excellency / Saeed Bin Hofan Al Mansoori
Vice-Chairman of the clubs board members, praised the support of His Highness Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan – Chairman of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, which contributed to achieving many sports and social successes during the last season, which resulted in a positive impact and response of many segments of society through these polo sporting events; that has been successfully implemented in cooperation with all parties especially the governing partner Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
His Excellency / Zayed Khalifa Zayed Al-Aboudi Al-Zaabi
Executive Director of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, expressing his recognition and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, and all the board members for their unlimited guidance and support including the great efforts that has been made which resulted in the success of the previous polo season.
His Excellency added: “We are also pleased to announce that the club is set and ready to launch the polo season of 2020-2021, celebrating twenty-six years of bringing the best of polo to the region since the establishment of the club on the hands of the late president Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan”.
