Dubai's most popular polo event helps fight blindness

Invited guests were able to enjoy a relaxing day out with a difference at the capacious grounds of the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club.

It is now a firm date in the annual social calendar, and the opportunity to watch "the sport of princes" whilst relaxing on a picnic rug makes this charity event so appealing.

Over 2,500 men, women and children enjoyed the extensive lawns of the Club and the entertainment which included camel polo.

The Porsche Centre, Dubai was the main sponsor of the tournament.

"We are really delighted that Porsche have generously supported this event as it helps Foresight to fight blindness worldwide and in the UAE, "said Katy Newitt, Foresight's Chairwoman who is visually impaired. The incredible amount of Dhs280,000 that has been raised will fund a researcher for 3 years to help find a cure for retinal disease."

Once again there was a female player in the Foresight team, a rarity in polo tournaments in Dubai.

Lise Stokes helps organise the event every year and understands the devastating effect of sight loss as her father has hereditary eye disease, Retinitis Pigmentosa.

The other team sponsors were Citigroup, Dubai Luxury Homes and RP International/Sucden. Dubai Luxury Home's team captain was also a female player - Heather Tatham.

The afternoon included instant wins of over 100 prizes including a Marks & Spencer luxury hamper, an i-mate mobile phone and 24 hours loan of a Porsche. The pre-match entertainment was camel polo provided by DNATA - a sport unique to Dubai.

The Foresight Porsche Polo tournament is the only polo event in the UAE that invites the crowd onto the pitch for the "treading of the divots" which took place after the first 4 chukkas to level the ground ready to recommence play. It was really popular, especially with children.

Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club generously donated the beautiful grounds and A+E all the beverages. All money raised from the event will go to Foresight to help find a cure for blindness caused by hereditary diseases such as Retinitis Pigmentosa. It will also support their work in the community such as white stick training.

The Polo was fast, furious and very competitive with the Citigroup team beating the Foresight Porsche team 2 ½ to 0 in a hard-fought final.

Steve Lamprell and Tom Urqhart kept the crowd gripped with the excitement of the match through their entertaining commentary. Pauline Loder from Porsche presented the trophies including Most Valuable Player award to Raja Wail Abuljebain from the Foresight/Porsche team.

An army of volunteers helped make the afternoon a success and the Foresight team is really grateful to everyone who gave up their time. Katy Newitt, Foresight's founder, enjoyed the afternoon but relied on the commentary for her enjoyment of the match.

Hereditary eye disease can affect anyone and at the age of 20 she was diagnosed and told there was no cure.

Foresight aims to fund more research and there is now real hope for Katy and the 30 million people around the world who are losing their sight due to degenerative diseases of the retina.

With the generosity of people supporting events like the polo, cures will be found for some diseases within 10 years.