On February 18, 2011, Dubai hosted one of the most prestigious and famous international polo tournaments for the Cup of the French watch and jewelry company Cartier - Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge 2011. The Cup was held under the patronage of Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, the wife of Sheikh Mohammed Ben Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai.
The Cup has been held for the sixth year in a row and attracts more and more international leading and successful players who want to receive a prize.
The Cartier brand, also called the “king of jewelers,” is associated with polo, as it is also considered to be the “royal sport” since 1983. Both combine qualities such as elegance and passion, tradition and universal values.
On the day of the competition for the right to receive the Cup, two teams “fought”: the Cartier team, which was represented by players Adriano Agosti, Said bin Dry, Nicolas Petracci and Salvador Ulloa, and the Team Desert Palm team, represented by Rashid Albvardi, Clive Reid, Martin Valent and Peter Webb. In addition, the Swiss bank Julius Bar team took part in the competition. Before the start of the competition, the Dubai Police Force Orchestra performed on the grass field of the desert Palm Hotel, which played several marches in bagpipes wonderfully.
At the end of the match, the award to the winners of the Desert Team was presented by Sheikh Majin bin Muhamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the fifth son of the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed, who was accompanied by Sheikh Lubna Al Cassimi, UAE Minister for Foreign Trade and Mr. Louis Ferla, Director General Cartier Middle East. Famous guests, among whom were many of the wealthiest residents of Dubai, were received at Cartier Village, where an exhibition of the best Cartier watches and jewelry was arranged, as well as delicious drinks and snacks. In addition, each guest at Cartier Village was presented with a white straw hat, which came in handy as the day turned out to be warm and sunny. Another "village" was given to other sponsors of the tournament - Julius Bar Bank, where guests and members of the press were invited.
