The Beach Polo Cup will return to Skydive Dubai on December 13 and 14 for another glamorous tournament set to be watched by hundreds of spectators. And this year, they’ll get to witness a little piece of history.
Joining the mix of Argentinian professionals, Emirati stars and international players will be Sabine Schaffer — the tournament’s first female player in its nine-year history.
"It's been in the planning for a while and we're overjoyed to finally welcome Dr Sabine to the tournament," says Gabriela Noser-Katiela, event and tournament director at Beach Polo Cup Dubai. "She's a fantastic polo player with years of experience and will give the male players a tough time on the sand. There's a small — but steadily growing — network of female polo players in the UAE and I hope that we encourage more women to try the sport."
Schaffer — alongside her day job as managing director at a boutique investment firm — has played professional polo in the UAE for more than a decade. Here she talks to us ahead of this weekend’s event .
How did you get into polo?
While I shared a passion for horses since young age, my polo "addiction" started about 10 ten years ago when Ali Albwardy encouraged me to try out a round of stick n ball. Fascinated by the experience, I soon fell victim to the unique sensation of mastering a pony, focusing on hitting the ball and playing a team sport strategically.
I certainly learnt the hard way, as playing with the guys is challenging, and while a lot of women associate polo with high heels and bubbly, it was always dirty boots and sweat for me... but I love it and would not want to change it for anything else in the world.
How does the polo scene in the UAE compare with other places in the world?
There is a growing polo scene in the UAE. Over the past years, we have seen polo clubs opening up across the region and at the Desert Palm Polo Club, founded by Ali Albwardy, we are seeing more and more people asking for polo lessons and taking up the sport.
We’re also seeing more women in the region interested in polo. Under the patronage of Shaikha Maitha Bint Mohammed Al Maktoum, the first female Ralph Laurent polo tournament took place five years ago and since then, the number of women-only polo tournaments are steadily growing and becoming part of Dubai’s annual polo event calendar. Hopefully in the coming years we’ll have an all-female team in the Beach Polo Cup Dubai.
How do you feel about being the first female to play in the Beach Polo Cup Dubai?
I am very flattered to be given the opportunity to play at this year’s Beach Polo Cup Dubai. I won’t compete at the same physical level as the male players, but with a clear team strategy, good ponies and most importantly, a true passion for horses that began when I was very young, I will give the guys a run for their money and it will be an exciting game for the fans.
Do you feel polo is a sport that offers equal opportunities for men and women?
Like with a lot of other sports, polo started off as a sport played among men, so I would not necessarily say that the sport offers equal opportunities for men and women as – physically – it is harder for a women to compete with men. However, recently there is a growing number of women enjoying the sport.
What would you say to women who are interested in getting involved in polo?
There are a growing number of polo clubs throughout the Emirates, with most of them offering lessons or private classes so you can try out the sport. There is a growing number of female players now across the various clubs, and we always love to welcome any new or interested members.
How do you balance playing polo with your day job?
For any professional, it is always hard to find time for any leisure activity – polo is no exception. However, given that a lot of polo clubs arrange approximately two games during the week and another two on the weekend, it allows for everybody to find at least one or two opportunities a week to play. Also, the advantage of polo – compared to some other sports - is that a game of polo can be played within a hour or so and therefore, still leaves time to spend with family - although they often come along to the field anyway.
How does beach polo differ from field polo?
The Beach Polo Cup Dubai is a fantastic event for everyone and spectators get closer to the sporting action than is normally possible at a polo game. Compared to traditional polo, where we play using a ball slightly bigger than a tennis ball across a field almost double the size of a football field, beach polo is played on a smaller surface with a much bigger, red inflatable specially designed ball. This, along with the purpose-built venue allows the spectators and fans to easily follow the game and be closer to the action. Sam and Gaby do a great job when it comes to entertainment, ensuring that everyone of any age has a fantastic time on this very special beach polo weekend in Dubai.
Tell us a bit more about the event?
The Beach Polo Cup Dubai is one of the most prestigious and glamorous events in the UAE’s social events calendar, attracting polo professionals and enthusiasts from around the world. This year will be the ninth edition of the Beach Polo Cup Dubai, which was founded and organized by Mamemo productions in 2004. Since then it has grown in popularity and now has a global following with similar tournaments played in 38 cities across the world.
In addition to the polo, the entertainment and socialising on offer always attracts a huge crowd to the tournament. Guests will be treated to spectacular entertainment a the Skydive Dubai venue including a half-time show with horse acts and dressage, and on the final day, The Greatest Show (be there to find out more). There will also be the tournament’s first-ever Holiday Christmas Market, which will be packed full of unique and stylish gift ideas from small businesses across the UAE.
Beach Polo Cup Dubai will take place at Skydive Dubai on December 13 and 14. For more information or tickets, visit www.beachpolocup.com.
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Read more:
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COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
'Cheb%20Khaled'
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RESULTS
5pm: Sweihan – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m
Winner: Shamakh, Fernando Jara (jockey), Jean-Claude Picout (trainer)
5.30pm: Al Shamkha – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: Daad, Dane O’Neill, Jaber Bittar
6pm: Shakbout City – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: AF Ghayyar, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: Gold Silver, Sandro Paiva, Ibrahim Aseel
7pm: Masdar City – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Khalifa City – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Ranchero, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
FIGHT INFO
Men’s 60kg Round 1:
Ahmad Shuja Jamal (AFG) beat Krisada Takhiankliang (THA) - points
Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) beat Akram Alyminee (YEM) - retired Round 1
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Bhanu Pratap Pandit (IND) - TKO Round 1
Men’s 71kg Round 1:
Seyed Kaveh Soleyman (IRI) beat Abedel Rahman (JOR) - RSC round 3.
Amine Al Moatassime (UAE) walk over Ritiz Puri (NEP)
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LEADERBOARD
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
UAE tour of the Netherlands
UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures and results:
Monday, UAE won by three wickets
Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match
Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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