POLO Magazine   Pink Polo Receives UAE Government Recognition

Breast cancer initiative given Royal seal of approval in second year 

Abu Dhabi - February 27, 2012: Pink Polo, a unique sporting initiative that raises awareness of breast cancer in the UAE, was yesterday honoured with an award of recognition on behalf of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak. 

Sheikha Fatima is the Chairperson of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation and Chairperson of the Motherhood and Childhood Council of "Basamat Mudee”.  

The Health Authority Abu Dhabi, (HAAD) and the UAE Red Crescent acknowledged Pink Polo’s key supporting role in the UAE’s 2011 National Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. 

Swedish entrepreneur, Carrie McNeill, launched Pink Polo in 2010.

She realised that although breast cancer was the second biggest killer of women in the UAE, there was relatively little information or conversation about the disease in general society. 

Designed as an enjoyable family day out, Pink Polo was devised as a way to break down social taboos associated with talking about breast cancer. Raised awareness of breast cancer symptoms has a direct impact on survival rate as it means early diagnoses and therefore earlier treatment. 

Pink Polo, hosted by Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, attracted more than 3,500 attendees in 2011 and McNeill is hoping for an even bigger showing this year. 

“It’s fantastic to receive such prestigious recognition of the work that Pink Polo is doing to raise breast cancer awareness,” she said.  

“We knew we were involved in something important and to have the UAE Government’s health authorities acknowledge this too really makes us want to take the event to even bigger heights in future years. 

“Pink Polo could not happen at all if it wasn’t for the support of a number of governmental and private organisations.  

“Thanks must go to the event patron, His Highness Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club and supporting partner, Abu Dhabi Sports Council together with key sponsors such as Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) and Estee Lauder Companies.” 

McNeill added that plans were already being made for this year’s renewal. 

“We are excited to be launching a UAE-wide Pink Polo Campus tour and we are working on some other ideas with our close partners like Abu Dhabi Women’s Business Council,” she said. “We also target men and that is where the core idea of Pink Polo, as a high-impact horse sport comes in. 

“This year we are planning for a bigger and better event and we invite Government bodies and private corporations to join our campaign leading up to the third renewal of Pink Polo in October 27, 2012.” 

The award ceremony took place at the Radisson Blu Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. It was attended by His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Atiq Al Falahi, Secretary General of the UAE Red Crescent Authority and the Secretary General, Mohamed Ateeq Sultan Zayed  Al Falahi .

ENDS

For more information contact Carrie McNeill, Founder Pink Polo on cm@scottandscandi.com" target="_blank">cm@scottandscandi.com or +971 (0)50 545 7674