HUSSAM AL-KHARAFI
A new era is about to be born in both Kuwait and polo, as the sport of Kings takes the Country by storm. Credit for this historical occurrence is almost solely due to two of the most enthusiastic, passionate and patriotic new players to the pitch, Salman Assad Mohammed Khuraibet, President of the Kuwait Polo Association and Hussam Fawzi Mohammed Al-Kharafi, Chairman of the Kuwait Polo Association.
On Saturday 7 September 2013, with both the Kuwait flag and the Union Jack flying above the distinguished guests in the Royal Box at Guards Polo Club, Salman Assad Mohammed Khuraibet, the first Kuwaiti member of the HPA and Hussam Fawzi Mohammed Al-Kharafi, marched on horseback through the revered goal posts of the Queen's Ground, leading the two 12 goal teams of the day, Shalimar and Los Lobos, prior to them battling it out to win The Kuwait Polo Association Trophy.
Brought together through mutual friends and their passion for polo, they have great pride in introducing the sport to their Country.
As Ex-President of The Kuwait Engineering Association, Hussam is confident if they combine their backgrounds along with the great network of friends and business colleagues, they will gain much support for the game. Salman was also keen to explain that Hussam has built an exceptional business model for developing polo in Kuwait, which allows Kuwaitis from all different social backgrounds to be involved.
 At Queen's Elizabeth Royal GroundsEng. Hussam Fawzi Mohammed ALKharafi England at the Guards Polo Club (owned by her Majesty – Queen Elisabeth II, and home ground for her son, the Prince of Wales) |  Eng. Hussam at Royal Polo Club |
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 Trophy by Coach Ginger |  |
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 |  Eng. Hussam in Argentina |
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 Interview with Greg Keating |  with coach Ginger |
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 At Queen Elisabeth II Royal GroundsEnthusiasm for the sport was obvious amongst the esteemed guests who included His Excellency Jassim Al-Kharafi (Former Speaker of the National Assembly of the State of Kuwait), His Excellency Khaled Al-Duwaisan (Kuwaiti Ambassador to London) and Shikha Marium Alsabah. |  At Queen Elisabeth II Royal GroundsEnthusiasm for the sport was obvious amongst the esteemed guests who included His Excellency Jassim Al-Kharafi (Former Speaker of the National Assembly of the State of Kuwait), His Excellency Khaled Al-Duwaisan (Kuwaiti Ambassador to London) and Shikha Marium Alsabah. |
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 Cach Ginger & Eng Hussam |
As Kuwait National Team Coach and Polo Manger, world-renowned player, Ian "Ginger" Hunt, pointed out: "The Kuwaiti DNA is perfect for polo. They have passion, over a thousand years of horses and they are great warriors".
Enthusiasm for the sport was obvious amongst the esteemed guests who included His Excellency Jassim Al-Kharafi (Former Speaker of the National Assembly of the State of Kuwait), His Excellency Khaled Al-Duwaisan (Kuwaiti Ambassador to London) and Shikha Marium Alsabah, who watched with pride as The Kuwait Polo Association Trophy was lifted for the first time by the Los Lobos winning team patron David Lewis. Awards were also presented to MVP, Will Emerson and to Neil Hobday, Chief Executive of Guards Polo Club from The Kuwait Polo Association, and to His Excellency Khaled Al-Duwaisan (Kuwaiti Ambassador to London) from Ian "Ginger" Hunt to acknowledge his support of polo in Kuwait.
The passion and patriotic pride which is behind this pioneering venture is unquestionable, so too it would seem, is the dawn of polo as a national sport in Kuwait.
For more information about the Polo Club of Kuwait email: info@kuwaitpoloclub.org.
Extract from the full interview which can be read in the next edition of PQ.