Qatar team's impressive debut at Chestertons Polo in the Park
Doha
Qatar Polo Club (QPC), the country's official club for the development and promotion of polo, proudly debuted its first national polo team at the prestigious Chestertons Polo in the Park, held at the iconic Hurlingham Park in London recently.
The debut formed part of QPC's wider mission to integrate polo into Qatar's sporting and cultural fabric, and marked a competitive milestone as Team Doha opened their campaign with a decisive win against Rapid City from Switzerland—their first international match.
Over three days of high-level competition, Team Doha took to the field with confidence and purpose.
Representing Qatar were four accomplished horsemen: Saleh Al Marri, an experienced flat-racing jockey; Ahmed Al Badi, a professional show jumping, eventing and endurance rider; Bader Al Marri, a rider with a background in horseback archery; and Fuad Al Mudahka, the team captain and Director General of QPC, widely recognised for his leadership in developing horseback archery in Qatar and the region. Supporting the team on the ground was Ziad Abuissa, Team Doha's Director of Marketing and Public Relations, who played a key role in shaping the team's public presence throughout the tournament.
On finals day, QPC hosted a private suite for guests and dignitaries, offering a refined hospitality experience and a shared moment of pride as Team Doha closed out a successful debut tournament.
QPC Chairman Ashraf Abuissa and Vice Chairman Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani expressed their pride in Team Doha's performance, recognising the debut as a significant step in Qatar's growing presence within the global polo community.
'Team Doha's debut represents the beginning of something much bigger for polo in Qatar,' said Ashraf Abuissa, Chairman of Qatar Polo Club. 'This moment reflects the leadership, discipline, and ambition that define our sporting identity. We are proud to see our players compete internationally, and this sets the stage for Qatar's long-term role in shaping the future of the sport.
'The debut of Team Doha at Chestertons Polo in the Park marks a historic moment for Qatar and a proud milestone for our equestrian community,' said Fuad Al Mudahka, Director General of Qatar Polo Club.
'At QPC, we are committed to honouring our nation's deep-rooted equestrian traditions while charting a bold and inclusive future for polo. This moment reflects our aspiration to cultivate a world-class polo ecosystem—one that empowers local talent, reflects our national values, and positions Qatar as a regional and global leader in the sport.'
Qatar Polo Club was founded in 2023 to embed polo within Qatar's enduring cultural narrative and align with the pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030. The club is driven by a mission to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive polo community, establish world-class infrastructure, and nurture a new generation of Qatari and regional polo players. By uniting heritage with innovation, QPC aspires to make Qatar the premier destination for polo in the Middle East, positioning the sport as both a reflection of national identity and a pathway for future generations.
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