(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Desert Knights Win Inaugural Gold Cup at Ham Polo Club in London
Ham Polo Club, one of the UK’s most historic polo venues established in 1926 in Richmond, London, hosted the first-ever Desert Knights Polo Gold Cup – a prestigious new tournament aimed at boosting the presence of Saudi polo on the global stage.
The final saw Desert Knights, led by young Saudi polo enthusiast Turki Abdul Rahman, face off against Al Faisal Polo Team, captained by HRH Sultan Bin Khalid, another rising Saudi polo figure who also featured in the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo earlier this year in Hegra, Saudi Arabia.
Both teams included top Argentine professionals, showcasing the international appeal of the event. Desert Knights featured Manuel Prado and Antonio Menard, while Al Faisal lined up with Tomás Garbarini and Tomás Ruiz Guiñazú.
In an exciting four-chukka clash, Desert Knights emerged victorious with a 6-4 win over Al Faisal. Antonio Menard’s outstanding performance earned him the MVP award, cementing his place as one of the tournament’s standout stars.
Turki Abdul Rahman expressed his vision of making the Desert Knights Gold Cup an annual event that will not only help develop polo in Saudi Arabia but also attract top players from around the world.
Match Lineups – Desert Knights Polo Gold Cup, Ham Polo Club, London
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Desert Knights: Turki Abdul Rahman (0), Mohammed S. Dangote (1), Manuel Prado (4), Antonio Menard (4). Total: 9
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Al Faisal Polo Team: HRH Sultan Bin Khalid (0), Mustapha Fasinro (1), Tomás Garbarini (4), Tomás Ruiz Guiñazú (4). Total: 9
With its international mix of talent and Saudi leadership, the Desert Knights Polo Gold Cup promises to become a highlight in the global polo calendar, bridging cultures and inspiring the next generation of polo players.
