6 minute read
Player Profi le: Ali Albwardy – King of the Desert
KING OF THE DESERT
Ali Albwardy, founder of Desert Palm Polo Club in Dubai and patron of the ultra-successful Dubai Polo Team reflects on his early days playing “sand polo” and why playing alongside his sons beats all his match success
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How did you first get into polo?
“I was introduced by a friend of mine who played “sand polo “in Dubai and it was great fun. I then went to UK to play the low-goal at Ham Polo Club and Guards Polo Club. I realised polo was fun and winning was even more fun – the first year I played we won every tournament we entered so I started investing in better horses and moved up a few levels to high-goal.”
Did you have any equestrian experience as a child?
“Not horses but plenty of experience with donkeys and camels. By the way, I prefer horses!”
What has been the highlight of your own playing career?
“I have so many good memories. Of course winning The Queen’s Cup and Gold Cup many times and representing Dubai have been dreams come true but honestly, playing with my sons beats it all. Polo for me is a way of life and playing with family and friends on champion horses will always be the best for me.”
How much do you play today?
“I play as much as I can. Desert Palm Polo Club has an exceptionally long season (October to early May usually) and I play whenever I am in Dubai, four or five times a week. When the Dubai Polo Team is in England, I play high-goal practices at my farm and the same goes for Sotogrande and Argentina. So basically, I play all year round! Just how I like it.”
Both your sons have followed in your footsteps. Do they take advice from you?
“They have been around polo since they were born so they know the game well. We have a very good relationship and we all share a passion for polo – I am lucky to say they do take advice from me, most of the time!”
In what year did you create Desert Palm Polo Club?
“Desert Palm Polo Club was born in 1995. I wanted Dubai to experience what I had experienced in Europe. So, together with hard work and a few good friends helping me, we were highly successful.”
Desert Palm is today one of the leading polo clubs in the Middle East. What has been the secret of your success?
“Desert Palm has been built on a passion for the sport. We have built beautiful facilities, have top horses, a successful Academy for learning. Most importantly we have the best Members
Above:Above: HM The Queen presents the Cartier Queen’s Cup to Ali in 2012. Left: Dubai after winning the Queen’s Cup in 2005 - Ryan Pemble, Ali Albwardy, Adolfo Cambiaso and Piki Alberdi
Above right: Ali with his sons Tariq and Rashid. Above left: The winning Dubai team in Sotogrande, Spain. Below: Ali and Tariq join members of the Dubai Polo Team after their success in the British Open at Cowdray Park
HH Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum presents Raul Laplacette with the Most Valuable Player prize after the final of the Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge event in 2014, held at Desert Palm. Looking on is Laurent Gaborit, then Regional Managing Director of Cartier Middle East, India and Africa and Ali Albwardy
Ali Albwardy joins Lolo Castagnola and members of La Natividad (Polito Pieres, Barto and Jeta Castagnola) after their win in the Argentine Open in Buenos Aires in 2021. Below: HM King Juan Carlos presents the Cartier Gold Cup to Ali Albwardy after Dubai's success in Sotogrande, Spain, in 2016
who, by the way, are my dear friends.”
What was the biggest hurdle when creating Desert Palm?
“The biggest challenge in the beginning was fi nding people to play. When we fi rst created the Club there were not many people who played polo in the region. We got the message out through friends and taught a few Emiratis to play which was something that made me immensely proud. Sharing polo with my people has been extra special.”
How has the sport changed since you fi rst started to play?
“The horses. The horses are getting better and better and without them, even the most talented players cannot stand a chance at success. This is why we have been focusing on our own polo pony breeding and we are delighted with the results.”
The La Natividad team, winners of the Argentine Open 2021, were sponsored by Dubai. How involved were you with this team?
“I have supported them from day one, just like they supported me and the Dubai Polo Team from the beginning. We are one big family.”
Will you be part of the La Nativdiad set-up in their UK high-goal campaign in 2022? If so, how?
“Dubai is La Natividad – we are one and the same. Polo for us is about family and so our teams are one. Our families play together and our horse breeding is together. It’s how we like to do things.”
Your relationship with Lolo Castagnola dates back more than 20 years. How important is this relationship to this team’s success?
“Lolo is my friend and his family are my family. His children [Barto and Jeta] have grown up in the Dubai Polo Team so it’s natural that I would support them with anything they need to fulfi l their potential.”
What are your plans for Desert Palm going forward?
“Desert Palm will go from strength to strength because we have the best team. We focus on having good horses, maintaining and developing our facilities to a high standard and making sure our members are happy. The key is for us to remember that it’s not about us as a family but it’s about our Members, both the new and more experienced players.”
How would you like to be remembered by the global polo community?
“As a man who gave more than he took from the sport. I love polo and I have been lucky to play all over the world, representing Dubai at the highest level. However, I also really enjoy supporting young and talented players and creating polo facilities for others to enjoy – even
