A dream come true: a polo club in Diriyah

It was music to my ears to read the official announcement that Diriyah Co. has signed a $2 billion contract with Urbacon Saudi Co. and Al-Bawani Group to develop the Wadi Safar project, including the Royal Diriyah Equestrian and Polo Club, a golf course, and several luxury hotels.

This piece of news took me back almost 20 years, to when I met Prince Nawaf bin Faisal, the former president of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare, to lobby for the creation of a world-standard polo club in Saudi Arabia.

Back then, our BMG Foundation had been hosting the GCC Polo Cup for five years and made headlines, especially after organizing a polo cup in honor of King Salman, who was visiting the UK at the time, where he presented the cup to King Charles, then prince of Wales, who was captain of the UK team against the Saudi team.

Years later, during the early days of King Abdullah Economic City, there were several discussions with the management of KAEC, followed by meetings between Fahd Al-Rasheed, the former KAEC CEO, and the Guards Polo Club CEO, the late Charlie Stisted, to set up a polo field next to the golf course there. Unfortunately, Stisted lost his life in a helicopter accident, and discussions were put on hold.

For someone who has been organizing high-profile polo cups between the two kingdoms for over a quarter of a century, this announcement is a dream come true. I cannot wait to enjoy the first polo match played there.

Having this polo field within a magnificent landscape and with views of Diriyah, the UNESCO World Heritage site, reminds me of the Royal Guards Polo Club, which is in the backyard of Windsor Castle.

I had the pleasure of visiting DGDA several times and meeting its CEO, Jerry Inzerillo. As one of the most important giga projects, Inzerillo was a keynote speaker for two years in a row at our annual BMG Economic Forum at the London Stock Exchange. In my opinion, a project of this size and value, $2 billion, will create the most spectacular world polo field and club.

In addition to the equestrian and polo club, Wadi Safar will include a Greg Norman-designed 27-hole golf course and 10 spectacular resorts. As for premier hotel brands, confirmed operators include Aman, Oberoi, Faena, and Chedi. With its historical legacy coupled with this unique world-class giant project, Diriyah is moving at full speed to realize the Saudi vision and will be ready to receive global visitors for Expo 2030 in Riyadh.

For someone who has been organizing high-profile polo cups between the two kingdoms for over a quarter of a century, this announcement is a dream come true. I cannot wait to enjoy the first polo match played there.

Basil M.K. Al-Ghalayini is the chairman and CEO of BMG Financial Group.