Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Chairman, Al Habtoor Group met with Neil Hobday, Chief Executive Officer, Guards Polo Club at the Al Habtoor Group Head Office on Thursday 7 April, 2016. The Guard’s Polo Club, based in Windsor Great Park in the UK, was founded in 1955 with HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh as President.
Chairman Al Habtoor and Hobday have met several times previously as the Al Habtoor Group has sponsored the Al Habtoor Royal Windsor Cup – a 15-goal tournament – for five years. The tournament trophy is traditionally presented by Her Majesty The Queen. However, the Al Habtoor Group was unable to sponsor the 2015 event as it coincided with the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Hobday said Guards Polo Club is looking forward to welcoming the Chairman back at the Club once the event falls outside of the Ramadan calendar.
Al Habtoor updated Hobday on one of the Al Habtoor Group’s latest polo developments in Dubai, the Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club – an upmarket equestrian centre in DubaiLand which is due to open next year. The resort will comprise of a St. Regis Hotel, luxury villas, and a riding school offering multiple equestrian disciplines. The resort will include several polo fields, as well as a dressage and show jumping arena.
Al Habtoor said, “The Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club has garnered much interest, and has already played host to an international polo tournament as well as local tournaments with international talent.”
He added, “Dubai is firmly on the global polo calendar. This season the city has played host to more polo events than ever before. It is now recognized, through the patrons and players, as a polo destination.”
Hobday commended the Chairman on such a quality development, which is the biggest of its kind in the world, as well as the Al Habtoor development which incorporates three five-star hotels, three residential towers, and multiple leisure facilities including the region’s first-ever permanent Dragone show exclusively choreographed for Al Habtoor City in a purpose-built theatre.
Al Habtoor said, “There is nothing like Al Habtoor City anywhere else in the world. I am immensely proud of the project and look forward to the day that all the hotels and residential towers are open and buzzing with activity. We have been blessed by its central location near the financial centre, on Sheikh Zayed Road and the upcoming Dubai Water Canal.”