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29 March 2024

Desert Palm clinch HH President of UAE Polo Cup 2014

The finalists of the HH President of UAE Pole Cup on the podium after the prize distribution ceremony. (SUPPLIED)

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By Staff

Desert Palm Polo Team won the 14th HH President of UAE Polo Cup on Friday defeating Bin Drai Polo Team 7-6.

Abu Dhabi Polo Team came in the third place after a hard-fought 8-7 win against UAE Polo Team.

The tournament was held under the patronage of Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, chairman of the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club.

The closely contested final witnessed some outstanding performances by both teams.

Santiago Labordeas scored four goals, Alejo Taranco two and Matias Machado struck one for Desert Palm.

For Bin Drai, Raul Laplacette was the star performer, scoring all of his team’s six goals.

In the Subsidiary Final held earlier in the day, Alfredo Cappella, Faris Al Yabhouni and Victorio Monteverde scored four, three and one goals respectively for Abu Dhabi Polo team, while Lucas Monteverde struck five goals for UAE Polo Team, with Ollie Cudmore and Tomas Gagliardi contributing one goal each.

Following the final, the guest of honour Sheikh Mohammed bin Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan honoured the winners.

Shaikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who won the Best local player, was honoured for her participation in the tournament while a token of appreciation and gratitude was presented to Sheikh Mohammed bin Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan for his attendance at the event.
Mohammed Bin Drai was named the most valuable player.

Prizes were also given to the winners of the raffle draw and the First and Second place winning ladies in the Best Outfit competition.

“The 14th HH President of UAE Polo Cup was a hugely successful tournament that witnessed not just a fine display of polo, but also an enthusiastic participation by the spectators,” said Ahmed Ali Al Nuaimi, managing director of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club. “All the spectators particularly enjoyed the Final day as players were faithfully committed to displaying sportsmanship and fair competition that’s befitting of such a prestigious tournament,” he added.

The entertaining family activities, which were hosted on the sidelines of the two matches, included shows supported by Sheikh Mohammed Sports and Physical Fitness Programme, Dubai Police dog show, a performance by the Abu Dhabi Police Band, military sky dive show and a show by the UAE National Aerobatic Team – Al Fursan.