Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club has organised the Pink Polo event for 17 consecutive years under the patronage of Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to promote breast cancer awareness throughout the UAE. The 17th edition scheduled for Saturday October 31 at the club’s Abu Dhabi grounds will transform the polo fields with pink-themed activities and offer free health screenings to encourage early detection among attendees. Organisers plan a full afternoon programme that blends sporting competition with educational outreach and family entertainment according to a WAM dispatch. The club announcement emphasised that the gathering aims to spark conversations on prevention while showcasing the sport’s growing appeal.
WAM reported that this year’s Pink Polo will include exhibition matches with strong female participation alongside interactive community zones and informational booths. Attendees can expect additional features such as live performances and opportunities for on-site medical consultations provided through partnerships with local health entities. The event builds directly on the club’s established role in annual awareness drives that have engaged thousands since the initiative began.
UAE National Cancer Registry data from 2023 recorded 1 445 new cases of invasive breast cancer among women accounting for 36.6 percent of all invasive cancer diagnoses in females that year. Health officials cited an incidence rate of 94 cases per 100 000 women with many diagnoses occurring at younger ages than international averages. Early-stage identification has produced survival rates near 98 percent for those receiving prompt treatment according to registry-linked assessments.
The Pink Polo series has consistently drawn prominent figures from UAE society including members of ruling families who have supported both the matches and the awareness message. Past editions featured junior and women’s polo games that highlighted expanding participation while distributing information on self-examination and screening protocols. One prior tournament saw a team captained by Sheikha Alia Al Maktoum claim victory in a closely contested match that drew extensive spectator support.
Medical partners have used the platform in previous years to conduct more than 1 000 screenings and awareness sessions across institutions during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The 17th edition will maintain this focus by prioritising accessible health checks for women over 40 in line with national recommendations. Club officials noted that the combination of sport and service has proven effective in reaching diverse segments of the community.
GLOBOCAN estimates produced by the International Agency for Research on Cancer placed female breast cancer as the leading malignancy in the UAE with 1 774 projected new cases in recent tallies. These figures underscore the scale of ongoing prevention efforts that events such as Pink Polo seek to reinforce through public engagement. The club’s long-term involvement reflects broader collaboration between sports organisations and health authorities to address the disease at community level.