AURUM No15_Yumpu

LUXURY SPORTS
DESERT PALM, buoyed by the red-hot form of highly regarded Argentine
veteran Bartoleme ‘Lolo’ Castagnola, overwhelmed UAE by 10 goals
to 8 to win the prestigious HH President of the UAE Polo Cup presented
by Premier Motors Maserati at Racing & Polo Club on Friday, March 29.
Bartoleme, a former 10-goal player who currently has a 6-goal handicap,
blasted home seven times in a dominating display of high-class polo,
befitting his former high handicap.
He was well supported by his brother, Camilo Castagnola, who scored
twice and Refino Bensadon, both 5-goal players.
For the UAE, the exciting Tomy Panelo (4-goal) sent home five goals with
fellow-Argentinian Alejendro Muzzio accounting for the other two.
HH Sheikha Maitha Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is
the patron of UAE, stood like a rock in the defence and when the opportunity
came, took the fight to the rivals.
Overall it was a well contested match, befitting such a prestigious tournament,
which featured six teams. However, Desert Palm seemed to perform
better of the two squads on the day and led from the second chukker
onwards.
UAE were bidding for a third trophy of the season having earlier won the
Emirates Open Polo Cup and the Silver Cup earlier this year.
The HH President of the UAE Cup was organised by Ghantoot Racing
& Polo Club under the patronage of its founder, HH Sheikh Falah bin
Zayed Al Nahyan and presented by Premier Motors Maserati.
Abu Dhabi Sports Council were the Governing Partner. The event was
held in association with Emirates Polo Association and presented by Premier
Motors Maserati.
Rashid Al Bawardi, the patron of Desert Palm, commented after the
match: “First of all, I want to thank Ghantoot for organising such a
great tournament. It was a great atmosphere and a great crowd who were
with us all the way to the end.
“UAE are one of the best team’s in the country for a reason, and they
showed it today with their strong performance.
“I also want to thank my team for the consistency they have showed all
through the tournament. We only lost one game, so that was good. We
look forward to playing more exciting and competitive matches and good
luck to all teams for the future.”
Ghantoot Polo Team claimed a consolation win when they defeated Abu
Dhabi Polo Team in the Sub-Final. The hosts won by nine goals to eight.
RESULTS
Friday, March 29
Final: Desert Palm Polo Team beat UAE Palm Polo Team 10-7
Sub-Final: Ghantoot Polo Team beat Abu Dhabi Polo Team 9-8
OFFICIAL SPONSORS
• Governing Partner Abu Dhabi Sports Council
• In association with Emirates Open Association
• Presented by Premier Motors Maserati
• Sobha Realty
• Golden Tulip Al Jazeera
• Beverly Hills Polo Club
• Ahmed Al Maghribi
• Noor Al Wasl Clinic
• Beverly Hills Medical Center One Day Surgery
• Premier Events Management
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