Dubai: The Royal Salute UAE Nations Cup returns to Desert Palm by Per AQUUM from tomorrow until January 13, with international teams competing from the host nation, Great Britain, Hungary, Pakistan, Brunei and the Rest of the World taking part.
Each team will be headed by the Patron of Polo for their country and one of their leading players. The UAE team will be the one to watch for the tournament as they will be captained by the world's number one polo player, Adolfo Cambiaso, who launched the tournament in 2009.
The qualifying matches will take place daily from tomorrow until January 13, with the exception of January 11, which will be a rest day. Two matches will be played each day, the first at 3.15pm and the second at 4.15pm.
All of the qualifying matches will be open to the public. The final will take place on January 13, with the first match being played at 3pm.
During the final, the polo viewing terrace of Desert Palm Retreat will be an exclusive ‘by invitation only' area for guests of the event's partners, with Ali Al Bwardy, owner of Desert Palm and Patron of the UAE team, and His Grace, the Duke of Argyll, who is the Ambassador for luxury brand Royal Salute, hosting a VIP after-party.
Although tickets for the partners' terrace are strictly limited, outside supporters and spectators will be able to watch the final from the Polo Lounge. There will be no entry charge for this area and a cash bar will be available.
The Royal Salute UAE Nations Cup is an annual event to celebrate polo in the UAE and highlight the Desert Palm estate as a key destination on the global polo calendar. The event was launched in 2009 by Cambiaso and is organised each year by Equus Passport. The official title sponsor is luxury brand Royal Salute, with Desert Palm Retreat (host) and Equestrio as support partners.
