Al Marri strikes match-winner for Zayed High Organisation against Future Centre

Dubai: Ali Al Marri struck a superb golden goal in the fifth chukker to clinch victory for Zayed Higher Organisation Polo Team over Future Centre Polo Team on the Autism Charity Polo day at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club.

The teams were locked at 4-4 at the end of the fourth chukker, which took the match into the fifth, where the golden goal came into play to decide the winner.

Al Marri, who had earlier scored in the opening and second chukkers of a low-scoring but competitive match, did the honours once again with his match-winning shot.

Abdullah Bin Dasmal and Ahmad Ali Al Samak were the other scorers for Zayed High Organisation.

Meanwhile, 14-year-old Saif Ahmad Al Ghurair had an outstanding match were he showcased his many skills, which marks him out as a player for the future.

Saoud Khouri and Yousuf Bin Dasmal scored for Future Centre in the first chukker while Al Ghurair found the goal in the third. Fahad Al Qubaisi accounted for the team’s fourth goal which brought them level with Zayed High Organisation and took the match into the shoot-out.

The exhibition polo match was the highlight of an absorbing afternoon at Ghantoot as part of a campaign to raise awareness about autism and to encourage people in the community to join forces and help address the challenges faced by those living with the condition.

This is the third consecutive year that the Autism Charity Polo match was being held at the UAE’s premier polo facility.

The event, which also featured an exhilarating horse show and the K9 division of the Abu Dhabi Police, is one of many inspiring initiatives that are being held across the country to commemorate the historic 100th birth Anniversary of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding Father of the UAE.

Saeed Bin Hoofan, Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club’s Vice-Chairman, said: “It is our duty to raise awareness about autism and to encourage the community to help families, schools and the wider community face the unique challenges that the condition brings.

“The main goal is to help integrate those who have the disorder into the mainstream and help them make friends and to enjoy a normal social life.

“We hope, that through events like Autism Charity Polo day Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club is able to deliver a strong message that we must stay united in our goal to increase people’s knowledge and understanding of autism in general and how to deal with it successfully.

Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) were the Governing Partner and Maserati (Premier Motors), the official car of the event.

Results
Autism Charity Polo Match
Zayed High Organisation defeated Future Center Polo Team 5-4

Scorers
Zayed High Organisation: Abdullah Bin Dasmal 1, Ahmad Ali Al Samak 1, Ali Al Marri 3.

Future Centre: Saif Ahmad Al Ghurari 1, Saoud Khouri 1, Yousuf Bin Dasmal 1, Fahad Al Qubaisi 1.