The Marina Polo Qatar 2025 tournament concluded yesterday in spectacular fashion with an awards ceremony, drawing the curtain on a historic second day that attracted more than 3,000 spectators, including dignitaries, celebrities, representatives of sponsoring entities, media figures, and members of the public. The ceremony also carried an important announcement, confirming that Marina Polo will officially return for its second edition in 2026.
The event was hosted by the Qatar Polo Club, supported by the Social and Sports Activities Support Fund (Daam), and presented by Qatar Calendar. It continued its mission of blending sport, heritage, modern lifestyle, and culture in a unique location along the Doha Corniche, reflecting the elegance of polo and the vibrancy of modern Doha. The event was held within the framework of a strategic cultural partnership with the Years of Culture initiative, which this year celebrates Argentina and Chile, offering a stunning showcase that combined world-class equestrian excellence with cultural authenticity.
Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani presented the Marina Polo Qatar 2025 Championship Trophy to the winning team, Lusail, comprising Badr Al Marri, Beltrán Loilie, and Gastón Loilie, after they secured a 6–3 victory.
Meanwhile, His Excellency Mr. Saad Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Chairman of Visit Qatar, presented the runners-up trophy to Team Doha, represented by Abdulaziz Al Qahtani, Beltrán de Paola, and Marcos de Paola, in recognition of their strong performance throughout the tournament.
Junior Honors
Before presenting the main championship trophy, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani took to the podium to honor the junior players, beginning with the Little Mallet Cup awards. Team Lusail Juniors—comprising Rafa Mac Donough, Vicente de Paola, and Aedino Donoso—were recognized as runners-up, while Team Doha Juniors—represented by Patrick Clarkin, Elizabeth Clarkin, and Milo Mac Donough—claimed the Little Mallet Cup title after a hard-fought 1–0 victory, earning recognition for one of the day’s standout performances.
The day also celebrated outstanding equine performances. The Best Pony award for the Years of Culture Championship Cup 2025 (yesterday) went to the pony Atracción Fatal, ridden by Pablo Mac Donough of Team Buenos Aires. As for the Marina Polo Qatar 2025 Championship Cup, the Best Pony award was presented to the pony Tumba, ridden by Beltrán Loilie.
Years of Culture Pavilion
Throughout the Old Doha Port, visitors moved between the polo village and hospitality lounges, enjoying a variety of brand experiences. The “Years of Culture” pavilion hosted two mural artists from Chile and Argentina—Joel Bush and Animalitoland—who created artworks inspired by the spirit of cultural collaboration.
Commenting on the event, Mr. Ashraf Abu Issa said: “The atmosphere that filled Old Doha Port yesterday reflects everything we envisioned when planning Marina Polo. What began yesterday as an idea has now become a world-class platform celebrating Qatar’s culture, creativity, and sporting excellence. The event will return annually, and we hope it continues to grow bigger and better, contributing to the development of polo and inspiring the next generation of players.
