The Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series (Dubai Open), an 18-goal handicap competition celebrating its 10th year anniversary under the Patronage of HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, launched its 2019 season on Monday, 21 January 2019 where the organizing committee conducted a live draw for the Silver Cup 2019 fixture at the Habtoor Ballroom, Habtoor Palace, LXR Hotels & Resorts.

Five tournaments fall under the umbrella of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series: the Silver Cup (18 goal handicap), which will run from 25 January to 8 February; the Polo Masters Cup (10 goal handicap) from 10 to 15 February; the Julius Baer Gold Cup (18 goal handicap) from 18 February to 8 March; the Dubai Challenge Cup (18 goal handicap) from 15 to 30 March; and the Dubai Cup (6-8 goal handicap) from 2 to 12 April 2019.

The Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series held in the UAE, is one of only five tournaments in the world played in the WPT Championship Cup category, on a par with world-class events held in Argentina, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States. It was founded by its Chairman Mohammed Al Habtoor in 2009. It started with tournaments carrying a handicap of 10-12 goals and has grown to host teams playing in 18-goal handicap matches.

Mohammed Al Habtoor, Founder of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series and patron of Habtoor Polo team, said, “I am very excited about the lineup of players in this year’s Silver Cup. The eight participating teams will feature top-ranking World Polo Tour players, including Facundo Sola (ranked 12 in the world) and Alfredo Capella Barabucci (ranked 27 in the world), who are both 9-goal handicap players. Two 8-goal handicap players have also confirmed their participation; Alejandro Muzzio (ranked 28 in the world) and Juan Gris Zavaleta (ranked 24 in the world), and many others who have come directly from the Argentine Open.

“The Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series has long-established the United Arab Emirates position in the international arena as a top destination of the sport of kings in the world.”
The final of the Silver Cup will take place on 8 February 2019 from 1pm at the grounds of the Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club.

The eight participating teams of the Silver Cup 2019:
Abu Dhabi Polo Team (Patron: Faris Al Yabhouni)
Desert Palm Polo Team (Patron: Rashid Al Bawardi)
Dubai Wolves (Patron: Habtoor Al Habtoor)
Ghantoot Polo Team (Patron: HH Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan)
Habtoor Polo Team (Patron: Mohammed Al Habtoor)
Mahra Polo Team (Patron: Rashid Al Habtoor)
UAE Polo Team (Patron: Her Highness Sheikha Maitha Bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum)
Zedan Polo Team (Patron: Amr Zedan)

The Dubai Open is the premier regional polo competition of the year, attracting VIPs, society figures, and senior corporate executives from across the region. It has grown in tandem with the city of Dubai. Since 2012, it is the only tournament in the United Arab Emirates that is recognized and certified by the World Polo Tour (WPT). Under the WPT Challenge Cup Category, the winners of the Silver Cup are awarded 50 points and 20 points within the Dubai Challenge Cup. The Gold Cup tournament is a part of the WPT Championship Cup – the highest competition in terms of points – and allots 80 points to its winners. The Dubai Open is played under the banner of the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA), with the tournaments being played under strict international supervision according to the HPA rules and provision of its umpires.

Photo credit: Al Habtoor Polo Club and Resort
H.E Saeed Hareeb and Mohammed Al Habtoor with representatives of the teams