Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club’s 2015/2016 season is announced
By Victoria Elsbury-Legg
Under the patronage of Club Chairman Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, The Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club’s (GRPC) 2015/2016 season has been announced, with the focus firmly on raising funds for charities. As Mr. Ahmed Al Nuaimi, Director General of GRPC explains, ‘Preparations have been completed for the early launch of the new sports season based on the directives of His Highness Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of GRPC. All events at the club are supported by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and sponsors who have all contributed to the success of the sport in the region. The new season includes several events and activities, both on the sporting and humanitarian programmes. This season will also mark the commemoration of the 44th National Day under the banner of “Emirates brings us together” celebration.’
Starting the season on October 16th is a match to be played in aid of The Emirates Autism Charity, followed on October 30th by a charity game to raise money for Emirates Red Crescent Charity. In November, the ADCB Pink Polo tournament will take place on November 6th and the Al Amal Day on November 20th – with all monies being donated to the Al Ain Centre for Care and Rehabilitation.
On December 2nd, UAE National Day will be celebrated by an exhibition polo match, with the fifteenth Emirates International Open Polo Championships being played from 6th – 18th December 2015. With the New Year comes The 16th President of UAE Polo Club, which will be played from 5th to 15th January and the Dubai Polo Gold Cup taking place from 22nd February through to 11th March. British Polo Day will also be hosting an event at the Club on March 19th featuring teams with players from ten different countries.
Polo continues to grow and develop at Ghantoot Polo Club, as Deputy Chairman of GRPC, HE Saeed Bin Houfan Al Mansouri remarked, ‘The care and support for the sport of polo by His Highness Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of GRPC, has contributed immensely to the development of polo as one of the best in the region, if not the world. The new season begins with a lot of ambitious plans under His Highness the President of the club which will help promote sports in the UAE in general and polo in particular.’
Aside from the polo, several Show Jumping competitions will also be held:
17th – 20th February – UAE Showjumping competition
26th February – Ghantoot Showjumping Silver Cup
10th – 12th March – Ghantoot Showjumping Gold Cup
8th & 9th April – National Showjumping Championships