UAE- Stage set for polo games

4/3/2016 6:07:47 PM

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Such has been the impact of the Beach Polo Cup Dubai on the sporting landscape of the country that Saeed Hareb secretary general of Dubai Sports Council hailed it as one of the most important events in the calendar year.

"We have more than 400 events every year in Dubai. And the Beach Polo Cup Dubai is one of the most important events in Dubai. We are happy to be part of it" Hareb said at the pre-event Press conference at Skydive Dubai on Wednesday.

The 2016 edition of the Beach Polo Cup Dubai will get underway on April 1. Four teams - Cadillac Qatar Airways Hills Advertising and Lindt - will take part in the two-day tournament at Skydive Dubai.

The draw for the latest edition of the tournament will be held today. Teams will get to play one match on the opening day and if they win they will play the winner of the other game in the final on Friday.

"This event as you know will be held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council.

"So it's a very important event for us. We are looking forward to watching some great polo games. I hope the weather will remain good" Hareb added.

Sam Ketiela managing and creative director of Mamemo Productions - the founders and organisers of Beach Polo Cup Dubai then revealed some really big plans.

"Beach polo started in Dubai in 2004 and since then it has become massive with tournaments taking place in 33 countries. Now we have big plans. As we all know 2020 (Dubai Expo) is a very important year for this country. Our aim is to have a Beach Polo World Cup around that time in Dubai" Ketiela said.

The success of the Beach Polo Cup Dubai has inspired Ketiela to dream big.

"Of course it has been one of the most successful sporting events in Dubai. It's not easy to maintain such standards but we have been able to do just that. Thanks also to our sponsors. Without them this tournament would never have been such a success. Hopefully we will achieve more in the coming years" he said.

Gabriela Katiela the tournament director was also pleased with the way the tournament has grown over the years.

"Our aim is to bring a team from outside every year. This year we are very proud to have players from Brazil Switzerland and the US. Our aim is to raise the level every year and we have been able to do that. I am looking forward to having another great tournament" Gabriela said.

Only one UAE player will be in action and Sam Ketiela explained the reason behind that. "Most of them are involved right now in other tournaments. They have a very busy calendar. But some of them including the Al Habtoor players have promised to attend our event on April 2. So that's nice of them. Right now they are playing in a tournament that ends on April 1 and ours starts on the same day. So you know the reason now" he said.

Felix Weller managing director of Cadillac Middle East said what inspired Cadillac to sponsor the Beach Polo Cup Dubai for the third straight year. "It's a question people often ask us because it's not traditional polo. But that's what our point is. It's about being dynamic" Weller said.

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