Dubai
Despite the predicted stint of bad weather, organisers are still expecting a full house as Skydive Dubai plays host to the Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2017 presented by Nissan on December 14-15.
Some of the top foreign professionals from across the world are teaming up with the UAE’s best talent at the annual event and a predicted foul weather of rain and winds may perhaps play spoilsport. “There is nothing we can do about the weather. But on our part, we have been working with the Dubai Civil Defence to make this event a success like in previous years. We are continuously looking for ways to innovate and do new things, and one of these is the change in dates from April to December to attract more people during a more suitable time outdoors for the entire family,” Sam Katiela, Managing and Creative Director, Mamemo, told media at Skydive Dubai in the presence of Saeed Hareb, General Secretary, Dubai Sports Council (DSC), Gabriela Noser Katiela, Event and Tournament Director and Yolande Pineda, Corporate Communications Director, Nissan Middle East.
First held in 2004, the Beach Polo Cup Dubai has become a regular feature on the sporting scene of the UAE under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council (DSC).
“The VIP Majlis can seat 700 guests and we have already closed down registrations despite the demand. The public area too will be packed as it is meant to be a fun weekend for the entire family,” Katiela related.
Leading the four-team line-up as hot favourites is the Nissan Leaf Team featuring Argentinian Desert Palm Polo Club professional Matias Machado along with a rare appearance on the same team from the Albwardy brothers, Tariq and Rashid.
The Royal Pearls team includes Dr Piero Dillier, the European Director for the Federation of International Polo (FIP) along with Moritz Gaedecke, the German Ambassador of FIP and polo professional Lucas Labat, while the Hills Advertising team will see patrons Sam Instone and Jan Bladen alongside Argentinian pro Juan Jose Storni, who will be making his Dubai debut this time.
The Artmarine team trio of Ayaad Damouni and Rashid Al Sayegh will play along with Maxi Malacalza, who is making his fifth appearance on the sands of Dubai.
The schedule of play will be finalised at the players’ party at Skydive Dubai on Wednesday night with the first match scheduled for 9pm on Thursday [December 14] followed by the second one at 9.45pm. The winners will meet in next day’s final that will be preceded by the play-off between the two losing sides.
