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Royal seal of approval

The ‘Sport of Kings’ draws the Maharaja of Jodhpur, Gajsingh II to Dubai

In its second year sponsored by premium Scottish beverage Royal Salute, the UAE Nations Polo Cup, recently celebrated two days of polo which culminated in Great Britain taking home the Royal Salute UAE Nations Cup title at the Desert Palm, Dubai.

The annual tournament, which took place from January 23 – 25, witnessed 11 teams competing from four nations, the UAE, Iraq, Switzerland and Great Britain in two divisions.

Iraq and Great Britain qualified through the league stages for the 2013 final. The GB team found their strength through changing teams by bringing in top polo player Sam Instone. Equally Iraq’s debut team in the cup fielded strong players including Argentinean professional Matias Machodo. Due to the popularity of the tournament, Royal Salute has created two competitions, and have introduced the Royal Salute Emirates Cup.

During the festival, the brand hosted guests from around the world at three exclusive dinners hosted by Gajsingh II, the Maharaja of Jodhpur and Torquhil Ian Campbell, the 13^th Duke of Argyll. The Maharaja joined the prestigious group fresh from celebrating the Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup, which took place in late December 2012.

We caught up with the Maharaja for a chat during his visit.

The Royal Salute Cup of Nations has become an annual tradition in Dubai, what are your thoughts on the event and holding it in our city?

The Cup has developed into a very prestigious and glamorous tournament, which attracts players and patrons from all around the world. And, of course, Dubai - the hub of the New World, as it were - is the perfect venue and host for such an event. The Desert Palm facilities, set up by my good friend and worldwide polo patron, Ali Albawardy, are second to none.

Aside from polo events, how does a modern day Maharaja fill his days?

Between my own business, social and charitable commitments, I have a very full day and, I must say, enjoyable days indeed. I also enjoy travelling and meeting people, whether it be in my erstwhile kingdom (over 36000 Sq. miles and the third largest in India) or to exciting places like Dubai.

What is the most interesting aspect of being descended from a royal bloodline? Is the sky the limit in terms of opportunities?

I think the great privilege is to get to meet wonderful people throughout the world, but this legacy comes with an extraordinary sense of duty and commitment with which I have lived all my life, but now without the executive power. I do think the sky is the limit for everyone, but yes, people everywhere are aware of and have heard of Jodhpur and are delighted to meet the Maharaja.

What advances, if any, would you like to see take place in Jodhpur? Tourism is something Dubai prides itself on and a subject close to your heart. Is there any inspiration to be taken from here and transported back home?

There are plenty of advances I would like to see in Jodhpur in the realm of tourism and infrastructure comes to mind straightaway when one compares it to Dubai. We have just not prepared ourselves to welcome visitors in the way this wonderful city does. I was, for example, astounded to read that the Dubai Mall was visited last year by over 50 million visitors. This is inspiring stuff indeed.

david@khaleejtimes.com