Emirati women set to make polo history
Maitha leads first-ever women’s team against Emirati men in exciting Pink Polo initiative
An exciting new chapter in the history of the UAE sport will be written at the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club today when Shaikha Maitha Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum leads out the first ever all-Emirati women’s polo team in a high-profile exhibition match against, yes, an Emirati men’s team.
Representing Ghantoot A, Shaikha Maitha’s groundbreaking activities also have the potential to open doors for other Emirati girls, close the gender gap and change the country’s sporting landscape forever.
The eagerly anticipated match is the highlight of Pink Polo Day, which heralds the start of the new season at Ghantoot, the UAE’s only Royal Polo Club which was founded by Shaikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 1994.
The all-girl team also features Shaikha Alyaa Marwan Mohammad Hasher Al Maktoum, Shaikha Mozah Marwan Mohammad Hasher Al Maktoum and Maryam Ahmad Hassani.
Their opponents are the Ghantoot Goes Pink team of Abdullah Bin Dasmal, Yousif Bin Dasmal, Faris Al Yabhouni and Ali Al Merri.
Looking ahead to the match Shaikha Maitha told Gulf News: “This year’s Pink Polo is a first for UAE women’s polo since we’ll be playing with an all-UAE ladies team against an all-UAE men’s team.
“I would like to thank Shaikh Falah for making this possible and for his constant support towards the sport and its players. I always enjoy playing at Ghantoot, it holds a special place (for me) and some memorable moments for me and my team,” Shaikha Maitha added.
Shake off rust
Al Yabhouni, a hardworking polo player who is extremely passionate about the game, said the exhibition match represented a good opportunity for players to shake off the rust and get into the groove for the season ahead.
“It’s never easy playing in early season matches,” he said. “Because you tend to be a bit rusty. So it’s always nice to play an exhibition match.
“It’s a privilege to play against an all-girl Emirati team and although it’s essentially an exhibition match I know that they will be very competitive on the field.”
Abu Dhabi Sports Council is the governing partner of Pink Polo Day, which is held in association with the Health Authority and General Authority For Sports. Maserati Premier Motors are renewing their partnership with Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club for the third year in a row.