15 January 2025 – DUBAI, UAE: The much-anticipated 15th edition of the Silver Cup tournament has officially kicked off at Al Habtoor Polo Club, with four elite teams set to compete until the 1st of February 2025.
The opening match delivered an electrifying clash between Habtoor Polo and Bangash Polo, setting the tone for an exciting high-goal polo season. From the first whistle, the game showcased fierce competition, with swift runs and sharp turns highlighting the players' exceptional skills. Habtoor Polo demonstrated outstanding teamwork throughout the match, led by the dynamic Bayugar brothers, Bartolome and Bautista, whose brilliant plays consistently drove their team forward. Despite strong resistance from Fede Von Potobsky and the Bangash Polo team, Habtoor Polo maintained their momentum, executing a strategic and collaborative performance that secured their first win in the Silver Cup 2025.
Match Progression:
Habtoor Polo vs. Bangash Polo
2 – 0.5 | 3- 1.5| 5 – 3.5 | 6 – 3.5 | 9 – 8.5
Top scorer and MVP: Bautista Bayugar
The next match saw UAE Polo face off against the Dubai Wolves in an intense showdown. The game began with an early goal by Habtoor Al Habtoor for the Dubai Wolves, quickly countered by Rosendo Torreguitar for UAE Polo, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive encounter.
From the second chukker onward, the Dubai Wolves seized control of the game, demonstrating their skill and strategy. Maintaining a steady pace throughout the match, they showcased remarkable determination and teamwork, ultimately securing their first victory of the tournament.
The tournament promises thrilling action as the teams battle it out for the coveted Silver Cup title on the pristine grounds of Al Habtoor Polo Club.
Match Progression:
Dubai Wolves vs. UAE Polo
0 – 2 | 2- 2| 3 – 4 | 7 – 4 | 8 – 8 | 8-9
MVP: Benjamin Panelo
The next qualification matches of the Silver Cup 2025 will be on the 18th of January:
14:00 - Dubai Wolves vs. Habtoor Polo
16:00 - Ghantoot Polo vs. Bangash Polo
SILVER CUP SPONSORS
CO-SPONSORS
Accenture Investment Group (AIG)
is a privately owned, hospitality company with more than 300 employees. The company manages a portfolio of hospitality brands across the United Arab Emirates, and provide investor and hospitality career opportunities to our partners and associates.
Ali Gholami
a family-run business founded in the early 1970s by Mr. Ali Panah Gholami, is dedicated to providing high-quality products and exceptional service while fostering long-lasting relationships with customers and retailers built on trust. Strategically located in Dubai, a renowned agricultural trading hub, the company supports local communities and sources premium products from around the world. Guided by a commitment to integrity, it prioritizes customer needs, upholds impeccable standards, and delivers reliable service, earning the loyalty of clients, the dedication of employees, and a reputation for excellence in the competitive vegetable and fruit trading industry.
Diamond Lease
Diamondlease L.L.C, a fully owned subsidiary of the Al Habtoor Group, was established in 1996 to offer automotive rental and leasing solutions, as an alternative to owning and maintaining vehicles, to Corporate and Individual customers in the UAE. Diamond lease serves more than 700 companies and multinational conglomerates operating in UAE, handling and managing their transportation requirements.
Diamondlease is an ISO 9001:2008 certified company with a fleet of over 8400 vehicles. It was the first local Car Rental Company in UAE to receive an ISO certification and has proudly held the accreditation since 1999. In recognition of its sound business ethics and outstanding customer service, Diamondlease was one of the first car rental companies to have been nominated as a member of the prestigious Dubai Service Excellence Scheme (DSES) in 2003. Diamondlease has been awarded the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Travel Awards being adjudged the “Best Car Rental Company” – Local Brand for 7 years in a row.
Website: www.diamondlease.com
MEDIA PARTNERS
POLO LINE TV
PLTV is the first online streaming polo site, broadcasting over 25 tournaments LIVE per year around the globe, reaching +200k viewers. The production and edition of exclusive content makes PLTV the most comprehensive polo channel in the world.
Website: https://www.pololine.tv/
Al Badia
Since 2008, Al Badia, the prestigious Arabic venture is devoted to bringing the latest news and views on the equestrian world, Polo sporting and lifestyle. In fact, it is a tribute to the age-old passion for the thoroughbred, an integral part of the rich Arabian culture.
Al Badia focuses a gamut of information on the highly valued sport of horseracing, including information about events taking place in the Arab world and about organizations and services sought by equestrians of all disciplines. Besides being a specialized lifestyle magazine to meet the refined taste of the equestrian community, it features a wide range of information including very exclusive coverages like interviews of the Sheikhs and the who’s who of the Arab world. It targets the crème de la crème of the society and is widely circulated across different regions of the Gulf & Middle East.
Al Badia is a good platform to showcase premium brands, as it has a wide readership comprising sports enthusiasts, socialites, eminent personalities, celebrities and the royalty.
Website: http://albadiamagazine.com/
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Dubai Sports Council:
Dubai Sports Council is the official government body responsible for the development of the sport sector in the Emirate of Dubai. Under the Chairmanship of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and its 14 Board Members; the Council supervises the work of nine local clubs in Dubai, six of which practice a variety of individual and or team sports, such as football, handball and archery; in addition to the chess club and a club devoted for those with special needs.
Since its inception in 2006, with the vision of creating a unique sporting community, the Council organizes various annual major Sports Championships and Conferences, in cooperation with multiple International/National sports bodies and Dubai Government Entities, such as the Dubai International Sports Conference, Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup and the FINA Diving World Series; in an attempt to enhance the culture, knowledge and expertise of professionalism in all aspects of the field; from the overall preparation and/or execution of the event.
Dubai became the first Arab and Middle East city to host the Sport Accord International Convention in 2010, and stages the annual Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award, the most prestigious Award of the Middle East Region. Though the Council works on various major international sports events, it does not overlook the importance of spreading the awareness of a healthier, more active lifestyle locally; and in order to achieve such objectives, physical activity programs and initiatives, such as the Dubai Pulse Physical Activity program, the Furjan District Championships and the Dubai Beach Soccer League, have all been designed to target the various communities within the Emirate.
Website: www.dsc.ae
UAE Polo Federation
The UAE Polo Federation is the official governing body of the sport of polo in the United Arab Emirates. The association has been organized to promote the game of polo with the goal of improving the sport, coordinating the activities of its affiliated clubs and registered players and providing rules, handicaps and conditions for those tournaments, competitions, including the safety of participants.
Website: www.uaepolofederation.com/