Tag: Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club

Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club Hosts Thrilling Grand Finale of the UAE Polo Federation Cup 2025

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UAE Polo Team Crowned Champions of the UAE Polo Federation Cup 2025 under the Guidance of Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed and with the Participation of Sheikha Alia Al Maktoum

The 2025 edition of the UAE Polo Federation Cup, presented by Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, came to a spectacular close with an action-packed finals day that marked a competitive tournament as elite teams delivered world-class polo and an unforgettable sporting showcase.

Finals day opened with four teams taking to the field, setting the tone for an afternoon defined by pace, precision, and competitive spirit. The subsidiary final saw Equiti Polo Team face off against Legacy Polo Team, followed by the highly anticipated main final between UAE Polo Team and Bhansali Polo Team.

The championship match delivered a thrilling contest, with UAE Polo Team emerging victorious after an intense clash, securing the title with a thrilling 7-6 victory, while Bhansali Polo Team finished as runners-up. The match highlighted exceptional horsemanship, tactical brilliance, and athletic excellence, keeping spectators engaged until the final chukka.

In the playoff for third and fourth positions, Equiti Polo Team secured a hard-fought 4.5–4 victory over Legacy Polo Team in an exciting and closely contested match. Equiti claimed the third-place trophy, while Legacy finished fourth.

Beyond the on-field excitement, polo enthusiasts and guests enjoyed a premium event experience, with exclusive VIP viewing areas, refined dining options, and vibrant social gatherings that reflected the elegance and dynamism of the sport.

Commenting on the success of the tournament, Shokry Abouelsoud, General Manager of Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, said: “This year’s UAE Polo Federation Cup raised the bar on every level, from the quality of competition to the overall guest experience. We witnessed outstanding polo, a fantastic atmosphere, and strong community engagement. The finals captured everything we strive to represent as a club: sporting excellence, elegance, and an inclusive lifestyle destination that brings people together through a shared passion for polo.”

Santiago Torreguitar, Director of Tournaments at UAE Polo Federation, added: “The level of play throughout the tournament was exceptional. We saw a powerful mix of experienced players and emerging talent, all competing with remarkable intensity and skill. The quality of the matches reflects how rapidly polo is evolving in the region, and it was a privilege to host such a vibrant and competitive championship.”

The UAE Polo Federation plays a central role in the development and governance of polo across the country, working closely with clubs, teams, and stakeholders to promote the sport at both grassroots and elite levels. Through the organisation of national tournaments such as the UAE Polo Federation Cup, the Federation continues to elevate competitive standards, support talent development, and reinforce the UAE’s position as a leading regional hub for polo. 

The final tournament was attended by members of the Board of the UAE Polo Federation, underlining the Federation’s continued support for the growth and governance of polo in the UAE. Board members in attendance included Saeed Humaid Bin Drai, Mohammed Saeed Al Raqbani, Hind Al Hosani, Mahra Falaknaz, and Sheikh Khalifa bin Hasher AlMaktoum. The event was also honoured by the presence of Issa Al Sharif from the Dubai Sports Council, alongside Andrew Chen, Chief Operating Officer of UAEV, the tournament sponsor, as well as other distinguished guests and stakeholders from the polo and sporting community.

The finals day extended well beyond the matches themselves, offering guests a afternoon of entertainment and networking. Families, food lovers, and sports fans came together to enjoy the Ultimate Polo Brunch, featuring an array of curated culinary offerings, alongside family-friendly attractions.

With another successful edition concluded, Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club continues to reinforce its position as a leading destination for elite equestrian sport and lifestyle experiences.

Diva ventures a distance for World-Class Polo

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It is difficult to get me out of the house on a Friday under normal circumstances so to entice me to drive to the Polo & Equestrian Club near Motor City all the way from Mirdif has to be for something special.

With Little diva at the Polo Club

But then, my host for the day was Mahmoud Nodjoumi who is one of the most humble and sweetest people I know and he sponsored the Polo Tournament in question – naturally that was reason enough to get my sexy butt out of bed and convince NJD that she could inherit my Sacoor polo shirt and be treated to a fun evening afterwards at DUCTAC if she would be my escort for the afternoon.

Naturally this kid…who already lays claim to anything nice I own for her inheritance jumped at the opportunity to try out the said shirt in her chic way combining it with white tights to match the collar (Clearly has more fashion sense than I do). It was a beautiful afternoon and over 200 UAE polo aficionados enjoyed a world-class display of horsemanship and sporting prowess at the final of the third annual Nexus Valentine’s Cup.

Sponsored by Nexus Insurance Brokers (Nadjoumi is the founder and CEO of Nexus), one of the region’s largest independent brokers, the event saw a crowd of glitterati, socialites with a cast of international and local polo stars at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, with Dr. A Polo beating The Vikings 7-5 to emerge as champions. Nadjoumi mentioned the two days of fantastic polo had players showing world-class skills in a tightly-contested match.

The winning team also received prizes from Glam Rock Watches, a celebrity favourite recently launched in Dubai and available at Damas Exclusives – Glam Rock Watches is a client of Image Nation (Dipesh Depala and Ayman’s PR agency). It was so wonderful to hang out with Dipesh and Ayman who are a delight to meet each time – Dipesh dished out some good advise to NJD about her school and planning her future education supporting me in coaxing her to move schools to Dubai.

My plan was to get NJD to DUCTAC in time for Rock and Rolla but Nadjoumi insisted we join the invited guests and the polo players for dinner so he could brief me on his current CSR work. We obliged because I already saw that the event generated awareness for Al Noor Training Centre, a non-profit organisation supported by Nexus Insurance Brokers that provides individuals with special needs, regardless of background, with professional training and care in order to realize their potential and better integrate into the wider community.

Nexus Insurance Brokers provided a space to display handcrafted items created by the students as part of their training programme…its because of Nexus CSR work and because of Nadjoumi’s good heart, I always make an effort to go to activities related to Nexus.

We did make it to Rock and Rolla with Dave Crane as the MC for the night.  Dave is one of my oldest acquaintances in Dubai from his radio DJ days and we share a passion for Rugby 7s . We compared notes on our kids etc briefly before witnessing some of the most talented kids on stage….more on this coming later.