Pink Polo at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club

Ghantoot in the Pink Over Polo

Inaugural breast cancer awareness event at polo club gets seal of approval

More than 1,700 people turned out in support of Pink Polo on Friday, 22nd October, at the charity event which saw the exclusive Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club open its doors to raise awareness of the issue of breast cancer in the UAE.


Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, presented by Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) and held in collaboration with Health Authority – Abu Dhabi (HAAD), Pink Polo saw the ADCB polo team fight it out with the Estée Lauder Companies polo team in an afternoon of fun-filled entertainment at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club.


H.E Saeed Bin Houfan Al Mansoori, Vice Chairman of Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club said the club was honoured to host such an important event. “The Club’s main focus is polo, yet we know we have a role to play in our community and we believe Pink Polo has achieved two goals that are very important to us – it furthers the development of polo among those who may not have previously been exposed to the sport and it raises awareness of a social issue that has affected many women, both Emirati and expatriate, in our country,” he said.


The two teams, featuring accomplished Emirati polo players as well as high-goal Argentine professionals provided the central action on a busy family day, with ADCB claiming victory by two goals in the 7-5 scoreline. Nasser al Shamsi, ADCB’s captain was given the most valuable player award.


Statistics show that if breast cancer is diagnosed early enough, 98 per cent of woman will survive. Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club hopes the success of Pink Polo will help raise the profile of this fact and encourage women to be more aware of the benefits of self-exams and regular checks. A Pink Majlis where women received advice on how to carry out examinations and talked to breast cancer survivors and medical experts was an integral part of the day’s activities. 


Dr. Jalaa Taher, Senior Program Manager Breast Cancer said: “Pink Polo has given us the opportunity to reach many woman of various ages, nationalities and backgrounds. We would like to extend our gratitude and sincere thanks H.H Sheikh Falan Bin Zayed Al Nayhan for giving us this opportunity and hope Pink Polo can be an annual event included in our national campaign.”


Dr. Majdi Abdel Muhdi, Head-Corporate Communications Department, presenting sponsor ADCB said “The event has demonstrated incredibly positive support for Breast Cancer Awareness in the UAE. ADCB is a proud supporter of such initiatives and we are honoured to have been part of such a successful drive to raise awareness and understanding. ADCB would like to thank the Ghantoot Polo & Racing Club for the opportunity to contribute to a very real and worthy cause.”


Pink Polo has benefitted from essential support from a number of high-profile and socially aware companies in the UAE including Estée Lauder Companies, Abu Dhabi Airport Company (ADAC), Al Fahim Group, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Omnia and Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC).