Team Dubai wins polo friendship tournament to mark 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland
Dubai/Zurich, 20 March 2023: To celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland, H.E. Massimo Baggi, Swiss Ambassador to the UAE and Bahrain, in collaboration with Reto Gaudenzi, CEO World Polo GmbH, organised a polo friendship game in Dubai. This took place on Sunday 19 March 2023 at Ali Albwardy’s Desert Palm Polo Club. The match was won by Team Dubai, who defeated Team St. Moritz/Switzerland by 5 goals to 3.
The original idea for the polo friendship game in Dubai came from Ambassador Massimo Baggi, himself a passionate polo player. He decided to present it to his long-time friend Reto Gaudenzi. Gaudenzi, founder of the Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz & CEO of World Polo GmbH, was immediately enthusiastic and spontaneously agreed to support Baggi with his organisation in the planning and implementation of the game.
The extraordinary project quickly aroused the interest of Marijana Jakic, Brand Manager St. Moritz & Member of the Management Board ESTM. The destination used the high-calibre platform as the main sponsor to perfectly showcase St. Moritz’s unique diversity in this important market. In addition, the two event partners SWISS and Switzerland Tourism were also on hand to invite their partners, tour operators and customers to the event.
The anniversary weekend kicked off with a cocktail reception for the players on Saturday evening at the Swiss Residence in Abu Dhabi. It was hosted by Ambassador H.E. Massimo Baggi, St. Moritz Top of the World, and World Polo GmbH. Also present were representatives of Switzerland Tourism, SWISS and the Desert Palm Polo Club.
On Sunday afternoon, the event started at the Desert Palm Polo Club with the presentation of the two teams St. Moritz/Switzerland and Dubai. The private polo club is one of the most beautiful and prestigious in the UAE and belongs to the renowned businessman Ali Albwardy. Following the award ceremony, the 150 invited guests enjoyed themselves with exclusive dishes and cocktails, bringing the afternoon to a stylish close.
TEAM DUBAI
Ali Albwardy/Captain – Handicap 0
Nawaf Shahin – Handicap 1
Saoud Khoory – Handicap 1
Juan Pedro Heguy – Handicap 4
TEAM ST. MORITZ/SWITZERLAND
Piero Dillier / Daniel Savary – Handicap 0
Massimo Baggi / Katja Grauwiler – Handicap 0
Nick Rogerson – Handicap +2
Janik Oertli – Handicap +2