Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum

Biography

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, is one of the most influential patrons of polo and equestrian sport in the world. Known internationally by his social media name "Fazza," Sheikh Hamdan has used his platform and position to elevate polo and traditional Arabian equestrian culture, helping establish Dubai as a global destination for the sport.\n\nAs a member of the ruling Al Maktoum family, Sheikh Hamdan has been instrumental in supporting and attending major polo events in Dubai, including the prestigious Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series and the Snow Polo World Cup. His passion for horses extends across disciplines — he is also a celebrated endurance rider and an enthusiast of traditional falconry and camel racing.\n\nThe Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, which Sheikh Hamdan leads, has used sport including polo as a vehicle for soft power and international cultural exchange, drawing world-class players to the UAE every winter season. The warm-weather Dubai circuit, running from November through March, has become a key destination for professional players who move from the European summer into the Gulf winter.\n\nSheikh Hamdan's patronage and presence at polo events has directly contributed to record investment in polo facilities across the UAE, including multiple world-class clubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. His influence has made the Emirates Polo Association one of the fastest-growing national bodies in the sport.

Career Highlights

From Wikipedia (retrieved 2026-07-05): Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is an Emirati royal and politician who has been the Crown Prince of Dubai since 2008. He is the Minister of Defence of the UAE since 14 July 2024. He served as deputy ruler of Dubai from 2006 to 2008. He is popularly known as Fazza, the name under which he publishes his poetry, which means "the one who helps" in Arabic. As an equestrian, Maktoum is a multiple world champion at the World Equestrian Games, though has previously been temporarily banned for riding a doped horse.

Clubs & Teams