The Dar Al Khaleej Polo Tournament

29th April 1999

The Gulf Today Al Khaleej :
1.Abdulla Bin Desmal

2.Tariq Bin Desmal

3.Dr.Amin Badr Al Din

4.Christian Wroe.

Ghantoot Damas:
1.Hamad Al Manie

2.Khalfan Al Kaabi

3.Gonzalo Manzorro

4.Neil Mclean.

Abdullah Bin Desmal was at his best as he led The Gulf Today Al Khaleej Team to a, so far, season record 8-3 win over the Ghantoot Damas Team. Abdulla, the captain of the winning team, made a fourth and final chukka effort count, as his unerring aim brought in half the total score for the sponsors of the event. Christian Wroe shot home another three for the winners.

First chukka action saw the Ghantoot Damas Team take the upper hand as captain of the team, Khalfan Al Kaabi, made the most of a Neil Mclean pass to open the score. Tariq Bin Desmal excellent in the defence, making a goal-mouth save early on. Dr.Amin Badr Al Din was then responsible for securing a penalty for The Gulf Today Al Khaleej team. This was converted by Christian Wroe off a superbly lofted ball from 30 yards to equalize. Al Manie, however, pulled the advantage back for Ghantoot Damas, as he neatly tapped a Mclean pass just yards away from the goal. Gonzalo Manzorro came in off the thrown-in in the second chukka to score the third goal for Ghantoot Damas. But the effectively ended the score line for the hosts, as a highly -charged The Gulf Today Al Khaleej Team took on the scoring mantle. Christian Wroe reduced the margin to 2-3, and then Abdulla Bin Desmal began his assault, each of which ended with a triumphant over-head twirling of the stick, restoring parity for the sponsoring team to end the second chukka 3-3.

Abdulla then secured the lead successfully converting off a solo run from the center line from a Wroe pass, this being the only score in the third chukka. The fourth chukka was the clincher for the eventual winners, with Tariq Bin Desmal first consolidating the lead 5-3 combining well with Dr.Amin Badr Al Din. Christian Wroe then made it 6-3, once again finding the goal with a lofted shot off a 60-yard penalty. Abdulla Bin Desmal then proved his marksmanship, once converting from 90-yards and again completing The Gulf Today Al Khaleej Team's tally with another 70-yard shot.

Prizes were distributed by Abdulla Khamis, Circulation Manager Al Khaleej, and Mohammed Al Gamzy, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan. Also present at the prize giving ceremony were Ahmed Sahwan, Deputy Advertising Manager Al Khaleej, Ahmed Farhan , Marketing Manager The Gulf Today, and Youssef Nahed, Deputy Managing Director Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club.

Ghantoot