5th Royal Salute Dubai Desert Palm
UAE Nations Cup Desert Palm, Dubai
By Dara Williams
The tournament, now in its fifth year under Royal Salute sponsorship, took place at Ali Albwardy’s beautiful private Desert Palm club and resort in Dubai and attracted six teams – representing Great Britain, India, Dubai, Sweden, Switzerland and Australia. Actually launched in 2009 by Argentine 10-goaler Adolfo Cambiaso, the world’s top player and winner with the UAE squad in 2012, the Nations Cup has become a major highlight of the sporting and social calendar in the emirates.
The final was in many ways an historic game, remembering that Britain first discovered, and played, polo in India during the second half of the nineteenth century; and the two countries have enjoyed a friendly rivalry ever since. Albwardy, supported
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ably by team-mates Sam Instone (who won the trophy last season), Martin Valent and Andres Tombar, captured what has become known as the Cup of Friendship, a magnificent trophy designed by Richard Fox. For India, Parras Shama was joined by Vishal Singh, Deepak Udhar and Marcos Bignoli, well known Argentinian player who is director of polo at Capitol Polo Club, Washington DC.
Britain opened the match with two high and fast field goals from Martin Valent but India soon got into the game. The second chukka saw the teams level, following a field goal and a superb 60 yard penalty conversion from India’s Vishal Singh; and further goals from both sides saw another equal score, 3-3.
HAM POLO CLUB
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