The First edition of the Noon Polo Cup is to be staged in Dubai this month, it has been announced.
Featuring the top players in the Middle East region, the event at the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club will be a 12-goal handicap tournament running from January 8th-15th and will feature four professional polo teams. These are Bangesh, Am, UAE and Bin Drai.
A highly popular sport in the region, the event will be played in front of spectators, with provisions in place to make it Covid-safe. In a manner reminiscent of major horse racing meetings in the UK, it will be an occasion for dressing up, with prizes for the best-dressed lady and gentleman.
While UK fans may not be able to travel over to see the event, the tournament is a reminder that the sport is still taking place despite the pandemic and that those who want to know more about the rules, the scoring system, the best players and the techniques involved in playing the sport can carry on following it.
Indeed, 2021 could be a good year to take up Polo as the roll-out of vaccines in the UK and elsewhere should help ease restrictions and ensure more action can take place in front of spectators in the summer months.
Among such events will be Polo in the Park, which is due to take place at Hurlingham in west London between June 11th-13th.
Twice a winner of the London Sports Attraction of the Year at the London Lifestyle Awards, the event is the UK capital’s equivalent of the Noon Cup and will no doubt be even more popular with fans of the sport when it can be played in a post-pandemic environment.
For those taking up the sport in 2021, this could be a great occasion to learn more about the sport and pick up tips by watching the best players in action.