Richard Mille AlUl a Desert Polo lights the way towards an exciting future for the sport in Saudi Arabia
Game-changing event brings together leading figures of polo to celebrate the Kingdom’s equestrian heritage
February 14 2022, Riyadh – The second edition of Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo. The only major polo tournament to be staged in the desert, came to a close after two days of exciting action in a spectacular setting. Four teams, representing the event sponsors Richard Mille, Bentley and Saudia, as well as the hosts AlUla, battled it out in a unique arena drawn in the sand especially for the tournament.
Day one of competition saw Team AlUla (Adolfo Cambiaso, HRH Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Salman, Mohammed Al Habtoor) defeat Bentley (David Stirling, HRH Prince Abdulrahman bin Faisal Al Saud, Jean-François Decaux) by 7 goals to 5 in the opening game. In the second game, Richard Mille (Pablo Mac Donough, Melissa Ganzi, Noor Abu Khadra) beat Saudia (HRH Prince Salman bin Mansour Al Saud, Juan Martín Nero, Dr Hussam Zawawi) by 9 goals to 7.
The enthusiastic live crowd was treated to a horse show between games and were invited to sample a unique Arabic-led fusion menu created and prepared by local graduates from the legendary Ferrandi-Paris School.
The second day pitted the winners against each other in the Grand Final while the other two teams contested the Petit Final. Team AlUla beat Richard Mille 5-4 to take the trophy courtesy of a fantastic display by Adolfo Cambiaso, HRH Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Salman and Mohammed Al Habtoor. In the Petit Final, Team Bentley held off Saudia 3-1 claim third. Melissa Ganzi from the Richard Mille team was named the most valuable player of the tournament.
Speaking after the win Adolfo Cambiaso said, “I feel great and I’m so happy for Team AlUla that we got the win. This event has exceeded all our expectations once again and we very much hope to be back soon.”
Cambiaso’s teammate from Saudi Arabia, HRH Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Salman, added, “That was such a tough tournament with incredible opposition, so we are tired but very happy to have won. I was very fortunate to have had an incredible team with Adolfo Cambiaso and Mohammed Al Habtoor, two players I have learned so much from, and it was a privilege to have played this event here in AlUla over the weekend.”
Amr F. Zedan, Chairman of the Saudi Polo Federation, said, “Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo is a game-changing event for the sport in Saudi Arabia. The high quality of play, the incredible setting and legends of the games playing alongside Saudi Arabia’s best and brightest prospects, as well as prominent figures in the polo world have combined to create a fantastic occasion. Everything is in place for the sport to become huge in Saudi Arabia and we are excited for the future of polo in this region. We are also delighted to have witnessed the debut of several Saudi talents this weekend, including the winner HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Saud and the recipient of the SPF award “Most promising player HRH Prince Salman bin Mansour Al Saud as well as HH Prince Abdulrahman bin Faisal AlSaud, Dr. Hosam Zowai and Noor Abu Khadra.”
Organised by the Royal Commission for AlUla in partnership with the Saudi Polo Federation, Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo was a fitting finale to the stunning Winter at Tantora festival, the very first music and cultural festival in the Kingdom. Held in the shadows of Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, a new chapter in the history of Saudi Arabia’s equestrian heritage was written as the world’s best players, polo patrons and professionals from around the world showcased the potential for the Kingdom to become a global powerhouse in the sport.
The event also showcased the potential for eco-tourism in AlUla. Launched in November 2021, Habitas AlUla proudly supported AlUla Desert Polo with sustainable, experience-led hospitality based in the desert canyons of the Ashar Valley, surrounded by sandstone cliffs and palm groves. Launched in November 2021, Habitas AlUla is the latest addition to an ambitious plan to transform this important ancient trading city into a global destination for sport, culture, art and nature tourism.
For more information about AlUla, The World’s Masterpiece, visit www.experiencealula.com.