A Royal start to the proceedings at the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club which was buzzing with anticipation and festivity last weekend. The overall theme was to raise awareness for breast cancer and to support the community through sport.

The Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club could not have wished for a better start to the landmarked new season when it hosted the tradition the Pink Polo Exhibition match at their state-of-the-art polo club in Abu Dhabi last weekend.

This was the 10th edition of Pink Polo Day, an event which hopes to raise awareness for beast caner through sport and by bringing the whole community together to support each other in coping and dealing with the illness.

The highlight of a day filled with exciting activities and entertainment was the polo match between YAS Properties Polo Team and the hosts, Ghantoot Polo Team.

Victory went to the visitors who scored six goals against the three by Ghantoot.

Ali Al Marri stole the show with a high-level display of polo during which he scored a goal in each of the game’s four chukkers.

He was well supported by Yousef Bin Dasmal, who scored two goals, with the two women in the team, HH Sheikha Alya Al Maktoum and Petre B Spanko, providing them all the support in the field.

Abdullah Bin Desmal top scored for Ghantoot while Khalid Bin Drai also put his name on the scoreboard., Maryam Al Hassani also showed she can mix it with the men with a good display of horsemanship.

Petra B Spanka saluted the spirit of the players on the field and described the match and atmosphere at Ghantoot Racing & Polo club as thoroughly enjoyable.

“In Ghantoot, they always do things so perfectly,” she said. “The arrangements and activities were well planned and it was good to see so many VIPs and dignitaries attend the event to support breast cancer. It means a lot.

“It was easy to play a game of polo, which can be rough and tough, in such a wonderful atmosphere and I think we all really enjoyed ourselves.

“I was happy and privelidge to be invited to play on the YAS Properties Polo Team alongside HH Sheikh Alya, who is not only an amazing woman but a skillful polo player. It really was an honour to play on her team together with Ali and Yousef,” she added.

“There was a lovely team spirit and I enjoyed every minute of the game and the different horses that I was provelidged to ride.

“I am also very happy to see more and more ladies playing polo as it brings a new element into the game. Here’s to many more years of Pink Polo.”
Pink Polo Day is supported by Yas International Investment, Yas Capital Investments, Yas International Developments, Maserati Premier Motors, and La Roche Pharmacy.

The activities also feature a demonstration by the Abu Dhabi K9s dog unit show, jiu jitsu and more after the tradition Balloon release ceremony.

There were several marquees at the venue where women could undergo random tests for breast cancer and the reassuring message that was delivered was that the teatment in the UAE is free while the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHaP) also encourages all women in the UAE, nationals and residents to avail of the screenings for the early detection of breast cancer.M