The Beach Polo Cup, now in its 11th year, continues to be one of the most hotly anticipated sporting and social events in the UAE and is attended by polo enthusiasts from around the world. The 2015 edition took place on April 10th and 11th at Skydive Dubai, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and the Dubai Sports Council Chairman. Team Cadillac, which included Emirati player Tariq Albwardy, won the cup after defeating the returning champions, Team Vistajet and Bombardier.
Team Vistajet and Bombardier tried to hold onto the title, defeating Team Autism Rocks with a clear lead of 9 goals to 5, but the Middle East’s Team Cadillac put up a tough competition. After a strong first match against Team Lindt, Team Cadillac came back in even better shape for the final game against Team Vistajet and Bombardier, and took home the cup with a final score of 10 goals to 6.
Two more players from the UAE, Tariq’s brother Rashid Albwardy (Team Vistajet and Bombardier) and Saoud Khoory (Team Autism Rocks), also took part in this year’s tournament alongside international players from Argentina, Switzerland, and the UK. Khoory, who started playing at the age of 14, is one of the most promising Emirati players. For the Albwardy brothers, the love of the game runs in the family with their father Ali Albwardy being a longtime supporter of the sport and the owner of Desert Palm Polo Club.
Apart from the action-packed matches, the guests were treated to spectacular fireworks and laser shows, as well as presentations of the latest models of Cadillac cars and Longines watches.
—Natalie Theodosi, Style.com
