UAE Team Wins the Ralph Lauren International Polo Competition

On 16 December, under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Maitha Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the first Ralph Lauren International Ladies Polo Tournament took place at Desert Palm in Dubai. A key member of Team UAE, HH Sheikha Maitha Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, daughter of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, took home the trophy for her team in a startling match against Team Europe.

The first prize to Team UAE was presented by Ingie and Patrick Chalhoub, President & Managing Director, Etoile Group and CEO of Chalhoub Group, Ralph Lauren’s established partners in the Middle East for 15 years. Her Highness received Best Playing Pony Award for her horse, Aranuala.

The Final’s trophy was then presented to HH Sheikha Maitha on behalf of Team UAE by John Hooks, Group President of Europe & Middle East Ralph Lauren and Ali Al Bawardy, Desert Palm Resort & Hotel.

With a final score of 6 to 1.5, Team UAE were crowned as the champions of the Ralph Lauren International Ladies Polo Tournament. Team Europe Team A came in 2nd, Team Asia 3rd, leaving Europe Team B in 4th position.

The tournament also supported local charitable organization Dubai Cares. Profits made from the tournament will go to the UAE-based philanthropic organization launched in 2007 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to improve children’s access to primary education in developing countries.

The men’s and women’s polo mesh will be distributed in the following Ralph Lauren stores in Dubai: The Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Burjuman Centre, Galeries Lafayette and Bloomingdales, and in Abu Dhabi at The Galleria at Sowwah Square.