The Polo Game

            Polo is undeniably one of the most interesting sports around the globe. It is also commonly referred to as the Sport of Kings because of its close association with royalty in places such as the UK. It is worth understanding that polo was initially conceived as a game for the military to keep cavalry in shape during the times of peace.  The game dates back to about 6^th century BC when it was first played in Persia. It gradually spread to other countries such as Argentina, where it is one of the most popular sports today. However, it must be understood that polo is one of the most expensive sports on earth because of the vast investments it requires. The game is not for the faint-hearted because of the many risks that it involves. It requires a high level of skills, dexterity, and fearlessness on the side of players for it to be enjoyable to spectators. The most interesting aspect of the sport is the manner in which it is play. The sport entails players hitting and object, similar to the cricket ball, with a mallet while sitting on a horse. It is crucial to acknowledge the fact that the game has been gaining popularity around the world over the years, and it is play across 77 countries. Laffaye opines that its recognition as an Olympic Sport by the Olympic Committee is enough evidence of the growing popularity of the polo sport.  

Roles of the Game in the UAE

            The polo game plays significant roles in the UAE where it has been growing over the years. One of the most significant roles of the sport is to raise awareness of diverse matters affecting the society. The game plays a vital role in raising awareness on matters such as breast cancer in the UAE. For instance, the Pink Polo match was specifically organized to raise awareness about breast cancer, which is considered as one of the deadliest conditions among women in the UAE.  According to the Dubai Polo Academy the sport plays an integral part in campaigns aimed at informing citizens on the best ways of living and dealing with particular conditions such as cancer.

            Another significant role of the sport is to attract tourists. Dubai is one of the largest tourist destinations around the globe. The polo game also plays the role of attracting tourists to emirates such as Dubai where it is mainly organized. This fetches adequate revenues that enhance the operation of the UAE. The attraction of tourists also plays a vital role in enhancing intercultural interactions.

            Lastly, the game plays the role of entertaining both the high class and ordinary citizens in the UAE.  Maitha  affirms that the game is always tailors at acting as a source of entertainment for both ordinary citizens and the high-ranking individuals in the society. This explains the reason why the game is prestigious hence attracting both the mighty and the ordinary citizens in the country. They come to the field to enjoy the strength and agility of players.

Freedom in the UAE

            Nationals in the UAE adore the Arabian horse, and they have enhanced the reputation of endurance riding. The polo game has played a central role in enhancing the free interaction and association of people in the country over the past 20 years. The rapid increase in polo tournaments and the participation of the mighty in such tournaments has opened up avenues for a free UAE. For instance, H.H. Sheik Falah Bin Zayed Al Nayan, the son of a former President, is in charge of organizing some of these tournaments hence enhancing the level of association and interaction hence enhancing a free UAE. 

UAE Polo Clubs

            There are four key polo clubs in the UAE. Notably, most of these clubs are situate in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. One of the most famous polo clubs in the UAE is the Desert Palm Club that is own by Mr. Ali Albawardy.  Dubai Polo Academy  reiterates that the Desert Palm Club boasts of three polo fields and one stick and ball field. Additionally, it is always privilege to host three medium to high goal tournaments every year. The second most famous polo club is the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club, which is own and managed by Emaar Properties. The club owns two polo fields, one stick and a ball field.  The third largest polo club in the UAE is the Saif Polo Club that is own and run by Ahmed Al Guhair. It operates as a private club in Dubai, and it organizes medium goals tournaments in most parts of the year. The fourth largest club is the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club. It is a private club, which boasts of eight grass fields with international standards. It organizes several tournaments such as the Pink Polo Tournament, which boosts breast cancer awareness.

Famous Player

            The most famous polo players in the UAE come from the Ghatoot Racing and Polo Club, which is one of the oldest and best clubs. Facundo Sola and Pelayo Berazadi are the most famous players because of their superb goal-scoring abilities in the game. They have been at the forefront in enhancing the back-to-back success of Ghatoot through their goal-scoring abilities. This fame emanated from their team’s continuous victory in the Dubai Polo Gold Cup.

Conclusion

            In conclusion, polo is becoming a popular sport in different parts of the globe as evidenced by its inclusion as an Olympic Sport. The game has developed in the UAE, and has played a vital role in raising awareness on breast cancer, promotion of tourism, and the provision of entertainment to everyone. It is boost by the existence of four key clubs including the Desert Palm Club, the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club, the Saif Polo Club, and the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club.

Yas Marina Circuit Photos

Yas Marina Circuit

LSS 3003-Sports, Leisure, and Society

Yas Marina Circuit

Mohamed Ahmed-H00214009

Ahmed Al Menhali-H00214004

Fahad Al Muharrami-H00215036

CJH

Last week we decided, Mohamed, Ahmed and Fahad, as a group to make a case study about Yas Marina Circuit. First, we sent an email to the customer service there and we asked them if we could interview someone who can tell us sufficient information about the circuit. Also we asked them if we could make a small video about the circuit but, unfortunately they informed us that video capture is not allowed there. After that we decided that our case study would be as a report so, last Monday we visited the Yas Marina Circuit and we took a tour around it. First, before unveiling its location and its distance from Abu Dhabi it is better to understand what it is and what it provides. It follows that Yas Marina circuit is unlike any other formula one circuits. It is a 5.55 kilometers track, made up of almost 21 corners. The corners are made in such a way that they twist their way beneath the iconic Yas Viceroy hotel and then it enters the Abu Dhabi Dunes. It is pertinent to note that it provides driving packages and tuition all located at the Yas Drag Racing centre, Yas School as well as the Yas Kartzone. To start with, it makes sense to note that Yas Marina Circuit is the literal venue for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. It is also pertinent to understand that Hermann Tilke was the core designer of the circuit. He actually thought it wise to store or rather design it on the Yas Island. According to researchers, they articulated that this is a thirty minutes drive from the UAE capital Abu Dhabi. As much as it is beautifully made and that it attracts many people who like driving or tracking, it is ranked the second in the Middle East. The circuit that is ranked first is located in Bahrain. Before opening the circuit officially, the track experienced a two-day GP2 Asia Series test. Having said that, it is equally important to note that, this test actually was held almost a week before the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Apart from the above, the circuit also hosted the Australian opening event for V8 Supercars series, exclusively named as the Yas V8 400, in the February of the year 2010. With the above in mind, it is evident to note that this circuit was among the most admirable one, because before even it could start offering its anticipated services, other events borrowed their way on it. To run through a whole phenomenon of the Yas Marina Circuit, it is noted that the twenty-one corners are made to literally twist through the Island of Yas, off the coast of Abu Dhabi. It passes near the Marina and then through the Yas Viceroy Abu. This circuit was logically designed and then conceived by the New York based architects by the name Hani Rashid.

Now, having understood where the Yas Marina circuit is, some may wonder about the kind of facilities that are found in the circuit that make it outstanding, or to be ranked the second after the Bahrain one. Here are some of the facilities that are found in the circuit. First, it is important to know that the circuit has five grandstand areas namely the North, Main and the South as well as the Marina grandstand. It also has a pit lane, and part of it runs underneath the track. If that is not enough, it also houses a team building, located behind the pit building. It has a media centre, VIP Tower, Dragster tracks and lastly the Ferrari world theme park. All the above named features are the facilities of the Yas Marina circuit, which has so far attracted thousands. Considering its seating, you can be amazed to realize that it has a seating capacity of 41, 093. It was built on a spacious land and so it bears an area of almost 161.9 ha, and 5.5 kilometers length. The main contactor, who was lucky enough to receive this tender, was the Cerbarco-WCT WLL . They got this tender under contract from the developer Aldar Properties. Apart from the above main contractors, there are several sub contractors, seven that actually gave their skills in the participation of the whole construction process. Another noted facility in the circuit is the lighting system. According to eyewitnesses, the circuit is constructed with a lighting system, which the Musco lighting provided. This circuit is the largest sports venue that has a permanent lighting system in the world. However, previously this title was held by the Losail circuit, but fortunately due to its sparkling nature and how it is perfectly lit, it acquires the title of being the best-lit circuit in the world. According to research, these are some of the equipment that those who built the Yas Marina circuit saw necessary for it to have. The truth of the matter is that, only the equipments themselves can make one feel very comfortabe, before the actually racing starts.

For instance, the lighting system is very attractive for people to admire; the twenty –one corners bring about an amazing scenario for people to see. Apart from the above, its track surface is made of Graywacke aggregate to bring out the strategy leveling of the surface for the benefit of the racers. The surface offers a high level of grip to the formula one driver and receives ahigh degree of acclamation. This is what attracts a lot of drivers to the place for competition or just for recreation. Generally, this track is made in such a way that the outlook itself is of high quality, , and so it attracts people in one way or another. That is why many people find it easy to make their way into the circuit to catch up with an event. In summary, the circuit is built at a distance of almost thirty minutes drive from Abu Dhabi, and it was designed by Harman Tilke . It is the second formula one track in the Middle East  according to tabulation. Its design is a twenty-one corner structure twisting through the Yas Island off the coast of Abu Dhabi. It was conceived and also designed by a U.S based architect, by the name of Rashid assisted by Asymptote Architecture by the name of Lisa Anne.

Japan Trip

Joe DiMaggio

Joseph Paul DiMaggio is one of the most famous midfielder in Major League Baseball. He is known for his 56 game hitting streak. He played 13 years for New York Yankees. In 1969, he was voted the sport’s greatest living player in a poll taken during the baseball centennial. Vince and Dom were brothers of Joe DiMaggio who each became major league center fielders. The problem in the Yankee stadium is that for right –handed hitters, its deep left and center fields were almost impossible to get a home run.

DiMaggio married Marilyn Monroe who was a film star. However, their marriage ended after 274 days from the wedding because of grounds of mental cruelty. According to Richard Ben Cramer who was DiMaggio’s biographer, one typical forceful incident occurred immediately after the skirt –blowing scene in the Seven Year Itch film was related to the ending of this marriage.  

Sports

A sport is an activity involving one or more players. Games are played primarily for entertainment or enjoyment, but may also serve as exercise. Everyone in this world has their own favorite games and so do I. My favorite game is football. I often play this with my friends in the evening. I like this game because it is exciting and challenging.

Football is played at a professional level all over the world. Millions of people regularly go to football stadiums to follow their favorite team, whilst millions more avidly watch the game on television. A very large number of people also play football at an amateur level. In many parts of the world, football evokes great passions and plays an important role in the life of individual fans, local communities, and even nations; it is therefore often claimed to be the most popular sport in the world.
The football star and I admire most is Zinedine Zidane.Zidane was aFrench football player, believed by many to be the best player of all time. He was often considered the best playmakerand scorer. Zidanewon the World Cup for France once andwent to thefinals again butunfortunately was sent off in the final in 2006. My favorite team in the UAE is Al Wahda and Manchester City in England because I am a fan of the English Premier League.

There are many reasons football is my favorite game. I learnt teambuilding, discipline as well as teamwork through playing football.