The first-ever Ghantoot International Polo Championship kicked off yesterday, showcasing high-stakes competitions that will resume at 3 o’clock in the afternoon tomorrow, Saturday, on the grounds of the Ghantoot Club. The prestigious event is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the Ghantoot Horse Racing and Polo Club, with strong support from the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and collaboration with the Emirates Polo Federation.
Featuring four formidable teams competing at the “20 Handicap” level, the tournament is scheduled to conclude its activities on March 9th, offering substantial financial prizes totaling 200 thousand dirhams, as announced by the organizing committee.
The opening matches witnessed intense competition, with the Ghantoot team securing a victory over the Abu Dhabi team with a score of 12-7. Simultaneously, the Emirates team triumphed over the Al Habtoor team in a closely contested match, ending with a score of 11-10.
The Ghantoot vs. Abu Dhabi encounter was marked by excitement, particularly in the third half, where the two teams drew three times. However, control and momentum eventually shifted to the Ghantoot team, led by Nasser Al Shamsi, securing their triumph.
In the Emirates vs. Al Habtoor match, the competition remained balanced until the third half, where Her Highness Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s leadership and outstanding defense propelled the Emirates team to a 7-4 lead. Although Al Habtoor made a comeback in the fourth half, narrowing the gap to 8-7, the UAE team sealed the victory in the fifth game, securing the favorable outcome.