Saudi Arabia requests to host the 2026 Polo World Cup

The Saudi Polo Federation announced, on Thursday, the holding of the first women’s polo tournament in the capital, Riyadh, during the month of November, at the Federation Academy stadiums in the Nova Equestrian Club Resort.

The Game Federation revealed the preparation of the first Saudi women’s polo team, to compete in the upcoming tournament, through cooperation with the most important horse stables in the cities of Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, to start qualifying Saudi female knights to play the game.

For his part, Amr Zaidan, head of the Saudi Polo Federation, told Asharq Al-Awsat that they had submitted a request to host the World Cup for the game in 2026, noting that the file that was presented was complete, including professional stadiums and academies that will be launched during the coming period, and will make the infrastructure at the highest level. to host the global event, wishing them luck in winning the honor of organizing.

Zidan stressed that they are seeking to find a suitable environment for playing the game of polo, by supporting the participants and those who wish to play this game, which enhances the presence of the game further in Saudi Arabia.

He added: Our goal in holding the first women’s championship next November is educational, participation in which will be limited to Saudi female knights, whom we hope will be interested in this game, in order to achieve a greater expansion at the level of the circle of practitioners, and to create teams that work to compete in regional and international tournaments.

For his part, Faisal bin Duweis, Executive Director of the Federation, called on Saudi female knights wishing to play polo to commit themselves to hard work seeking development in order to make a difference at the level of the game, indicating that the turnout for participation in the first championship for women is good, but they seek to attract the largest number of practitioners.

He said during a speech at the press conference, that the federation was founded almost four years ago, and we have been working on the file of establishing a women’s championship at the level of the game for a year, adding: “Therefore, we hope to get a great turnout from the female riders, to be teams that contribute to advancing the level of the game to levels comparable to Global teams.