HH President of UAE Polo Cup 2014
One of Bin Drai & Desert
Palm will win The Tournament Title
Abu Dhabi, 22 January
2014, Under the patronage
of His Highness Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, chairman of the Ghantoot
Racing and Polo Club, the 14th HH President of UAE Polo Cup semi-final
matches have been held on 22nd January amid intense rivalry between the four
polo teams. Both Bin Drai and Desert
Palm
polo teams qualified to the Grand final, while the Sub final will be played
between Abu Dhabi polo and UAE Polo on
Friday, 24th January 2014.
Already being successful in the first stage of the
tournament, Bin Drai polo got hold of a place in the grand final, after defeating
Abu Dhabi polo at the semifinal by 9 - 6, the best player of the game was Raul
Laplacette scoring 6 goals. Fully energized with high performance, the second
semifinal round has been won by Desert Palm polo against UAE Polo scoring 8 - 5,
upon which UAE Polo is going to play for third place playoff against Abu Dhabi
Polo on 24th January.
The event was attended by best riders, officials and
equestrian enthusiasts, including Mr. Ahmed Ali Al Nuaimi, managing director of
Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, H.E Saeed bin Hofan Al Mansouri, Ghantoot Club Vice-chairman.
The game between Bin Drai Polo and Abu Dhabi Polo
featured a lot of passion and competitive spirit for the final round. From the
beginning, Bin Drai polo dominated first chukka by a wonderful margin, 3 - 1. Alfredo
Cappella of Abu Dhabi polo team scored the first goal in the second minute, followed
by two minutes later by a goal for Bin Drai Polo by Raul Laplacett. Bin Drai
Polo continued to take the lead in the second chukka by scoring one more goal by
Manuel Llorrente, moving the result up to 4 - 2. In the third chukka, game went
crazy toppingly in spite of the result, as team Abu Dhabi scored another goal by
Alfredo Cappella, the gap narrowed however the Bin Drai one miute later Took
the lead a gain with large margin by two
more goals to become 6 - 3.
During the fourth chukka, Raul Laplacette added
3 more goals, thereby earned the victory for his team Bin Drai polo. Thus, Bin
Drai polo secured firmly a place in the championship game.
On the second semi-final, UAE polo squared off against
its rival Desert Palm Polo through a game divided into four chukka. Amid passion
and healthy play, Desert Palm Polo took the advantage as brilliant Santiago
Laborde was the best scorer in the game, which granted preference to his team
to win and qualify to the final, by 8 - 5.
“I am so pleased by qualifying to the final,
especially after a hard-fought 9 - 6 win over a highly competitive team like Abu
Dhabi. With well-organized players, our team won the game in a worthily manner”
said Mohammad Bin Drai.
“Uprightly, our team played well, despite we were so near
to win, but good fortune was not in our side. The game was totally thrilling through
the four chukkas” said H.H Shaikha Maitha, Leader of UAE Polo Team. Thus means,
UAE Polo and Abu Dhabi polo will fight for third place in the sub-final game,
to be held on 24th January.
“Both
Semi-finals are breath-taking, highlighting the importance of this tournament played
by world best players in polo world. Because of high preparations and best
management, of Ghantoot Club and our kind partners, HH President of UAE Polo
Cup fan base extended greater than before. Even International polo organizations
described the cup as one of the best polo tournament over the world” said Mr. Ahmed Al Nuaimi.
Third-fourth
game will be played at 3 PM, and the final grand at 5 PM. Abu Dhabi Sport and
Dubai Sport broadcast both games live.
Among
the family activities on offer during the Final Day will be shows supported by
Sheikh Mohammed Sports and Physical Fitness Programme, Dubai Police dog show,
DJ music and adventure games. Also on the itinerary are a performance by the
Abu Dhabi Police Band, military sky dive show and a show by the UAE National
Aerobatic Team – Al Fursan. The venue will host a picnic area, children’s
entertainment playground and a food court, making it an ideal setup for adults
and children to spend a special day. There’ll be a drawing of admission tickets
to win valued presents.
Following
is the schedule of events for the Final Day:
1:00pm
Gates Open
1:00pm
to 3:00 pm Family Recreational Activities
3:00
pm Subsidiary Polo Match
4:15
pm National Anthem by Abu Dhabi Police Band
4:30pm
to 5.00pm UAE Parachute Team Show, UAE National Aerobatic Show by Al Fursan.
5:00pm
Presentation Ceremony
5:15pm
Final Polo Match
6:30pm
Prize Distribution Ceremony and Public Raffles Prizes
The
club’s doors are open to public for free during the tournament days, including
the Final Day, from 1.00pm.
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