Cartier Dubai Polo cup

IMPRESSIVE LINE UP PREPARES FOR CARTIER’S POLO EVENT IN DUBAI. Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 14 February 2011 – Under the patronage of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, four pro-am polo teams will once again compete in The Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge from the 15 – 18 February 2011 at the Desert Palm Polo Club in Dubai.

Leading names from the world of polo will head to Dubai for this competition. Some patrons, such as Saeed Bin Drai, a member of a renowned Dubai polo playing family; Clive Reid, the winning patron in 2010; Saudi national Amr Zedan, who regularly leads the Gulf Co-Operation team to victory in the UK and leading Swiss player Adriano Agosti are no strangers to this competition. Joining them this year are some new patrons, such as Englishman Gary Shepherd, fellow Guards Polo Club member Kassem Shafi and Dubai resident Farez Al Yabhouney. Of course, the patrons will be playing alongside an equally impressive list of professionals, including both England and Argentine internationals.

Although the tournament’s host, Ali Albwardy will not be playing on Finals Day, his family will be represented through his talented young son Rashid Albwardy, winner of prestigious Queen’s Cup competition in the UK in 2010.

Every match throughout the week will be played at the Albwardys’ beautiful Desert Palm Estate, home to one of Dubai’s premier boutique retreats, Desert Palm by Per AQUUM. Not only does this impressive resort some fine polo grounds, but also provides an extensive LIME Spa, the Red Bar and two award winning restaurants.

With such talent on the field, it is no surprise that the team sponsors are equally impressive. Cartier is again sponsoring its own team in addition to its title sponsorship. Bank Julius Baer returns to Dubai for a second successive year and is hoping to go one better in 2011 after finishing second in last year’s competition.

To ensure that the players’ and ponies’ style is as elegant as their play, the organisers have once again appointed La Martina, the leading Argentine polo clothing and kit company, to be the Official Team Kit Supplier, while the Porsche Centre Dubai, in its role as Official Car Supplier, will ensure that both VIPs and players arrive on time.

During the presentations on Finals Day, a donation will be made to North Star Alliance. This African-based charity is currently building a network of roadside health clinics at transport “hotspots” across Africa. These clinics will enable both long distance lorry drivers and the surrounding communities to have sustainable access to basic health care.