UAE-Palestine Polo Challenge to benefit charities

Polo enthusiasts from the UAE and Palestine are joining forces to make 2010 a brighter year for less privileged communities in the West Bank and Gaza.

On January 15, teams will meet at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club for the inaugural Palestine Cup match, a charitable day out that will include a number of polo matches as well as a festive lunch and fashion showcase by O de Rose.

Proceeds from the Palestine Cup will benefit the Welfare Association, a registered charity in Palestine established in 1983, which has earmarked funds for emergency medical supplies and programmes for disabled children in the West Bank, Gaza, and Lebanon.

“The Palestine Cup offers both companies and individuals an opportunity to make a tangible resolution in the new year of 2010 – to support some of the neediest communities in Palestine by taking part in this charitable initiative,” said Rashid Al Habtoor, one of the Cup’s organisers.

Al Habtoor, an international advocate for the UAE’s polo community, added, “Our aim is to create an annual charitable polo event to attract much-needed support for medical, educational and rehabilitation efforts in Palestine that otherwise may be overlooked in the current economy. We know that just as different communities come together on the polo pitch, the Palestine Cup can unite a diverse audience to help an extremely worthy cause.”

The Palestine Cup is expected to attract international-standard polo players from the UAE, Europe, and around the Middle East region to showcase their equestrian prowess for the charitable initiative.

In addition to the sporting action and awards ceremony, a festive lunch and fashion experience from O de Rose, a boutique which features pieces from Palestinian and Lebanese designers, are hoped to generate more funding for the charity.

Companies and individuals interested in supporting the inaugural Palestine Cup can email raymond.ohora@louder.ae