How did you first get into playing polo?
My love for equestrian sports started at a very young age as I come from a family that has a strong background in camel racing and horse endurance racing. My brother, Mattar, was a great source of inspiration – his success in endurance racing made me want to become more involved with horses. In 2004, I started playing polo and my passion for the sport has been growing ever since.
Who is your favourite team to play against?
I’ve enjoyed playing with lots of teams but I especially enjoyed playing against the Dubai Falcons at the 2011 Threadneedle Cup.
What does it mean to you to play here in Abu Dhabi at Emirates Palace?
I’m definitely honoured to have the chance to play in the city of Abu Dhabi, especially because it’s the first one here. Emirates Palace have built a lovely field and I’m looking forward to a great event.
What is the best thing about polo that keeps you returning to it every year?
What I love most about polo is the connection you learn to make with the ponies. They are beautiful animals, very smart and extremely compassionate – it’s a pleasure working with them.
How hard is it to learn how to play polo?
Polo is not an easy sport and it could take a long time to learn how to play well. It can be dangerous if the player isn’t ready for it, as it requires advanced horsemanship and coordination skills.
What should people wear to a polo match?
People love to dress up at polo events. It’s important to keep in mind that polo is an outdoor event and since you’ll be standing a lot, you should make sure you prioritise your own comfort.
What advice would you give to people who would like to learn to play polo?
There are quite a few clubs in the UAE that offer polo lessons so I would suggest you start there. Also, try to attend the matches so you can learn more about the sport and observe how others play – you’ll be surprised by how much you can learn just from watching.
How do you plan to win this weekend?
The one thing we’ve always focused on when training for tournaments is teamwork, and we’re doing the same for Coutts Polo at the Palace. I believe it is our strongest asset and also what has got us this far.
Our team has been training very hard for the tournament and I’m confident our performance will show it. Team London has great players too so the chances are quite equal. Not only will it be one of the main highlights of the city’s annual events calendar, but it will also help make the polo scene in Abu Dhabi much more popular and bring new crowds in.
Coutts Polo at the Palace takes place at Emirates Palace November 23-24. For tickets visit www.timeouttickets.com.
