Termed the "Sport of Kings" and equally the "King of Sports", polo is believed to be the oldest organised sport in the world.

Locally, the Malta Polo Club was founded in 1868 by British officers stationed here.

There are currently 27 playing members who normally play on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons at the Marsa Sports Grounds, when the weather permits them to do so.

Club PRO Karl Galea said members play for various trophies during the polo season, held between October and June.

"One sought-after trophy we play for annually," he said, "is the Conpore Cup. It is played for by the eight highest handicapped players active in the club.

"Although our sport is quite risky and, at times, dangerous, it remains a sophisticated and extremely exciting game representing beauty, passion, wealth and success."

But do you need to be a king to afford to play, or even support, this sport? Is polo still the exclusive preserve of the rich dishing out leggy blondes, clutching crystal glasses of champagne and cups of tea?

It seems that in this new century, the face of polo is undergoing a class struggle, a quiet revolution from polished entertainment for an elite class to a genuinely populist sport attempting to modernise while striving to retain its veneer of exclusivity.

But, whichever way you look at it, Mr Galea insists that 'polo is continuing to break down the barriers of class and introducing new ones into its open arms'.

"We would like to see more people involved in this sport," the PRO said. "I would like to encourage the public, including horse-owners, to grasp some knowledge regarding this discipline and start getting involved in a challenging sport, be it watching or playing.

"Of course, from the spectators' point of view, like most sports, one must learn the basics of the game and a vague concept of the skills required.

"So, if playing isn't up your street, then standing on the sidelines sipping champagne and lapping up the conversation and laughter is a worthy and gracious alternative, demonstrating that the image of polo as a spectator sport is part of a highly desirable lifestyle."

Traditionally a royal sport, polo is now played in 48 countries and across all continents. In the last two years, polo has seen itself galloping its way to the Middle East. And where more perfect or appropriate for such an exclusive sport to arrive and settle than in the Gulf?

Now with three clubs gracing UAE soil, polo has well and truly landed in this part of the world.

I recently attended a polo game at Marsa and was mesmerised by the galloping, snorting and speed - it seemed so aggressive as teams thundered down the pitch.

"Polo is fast and competitive. Polo is exhilarating. The moment someone tries a chukkah, he or she immediately becomes addicted to the sport," Galea said.

A chukker, also spelled chukkar or chukkah, refers to a period of play in the game of polo. In field polo, a chukker is seven minutes long and there are typically six chukkers in a game. In arena polo, each chukker is seven-and-a-half minutes long and the game consists of four chukkers.

"We purchase most of our polo ponies directly from Argentina - the home of polo - and Buenos Aires the capital of this outstanding sport," Mr Galea added.

Polo traditionally has its roots in Persia and it was the legendary Genghis Khan who supposedly invented the sport to train his armies in the art of attack. In Genghis Khan's days the balls were, in fact, the severed heads of his enemies!

But, today it is more civilised although Mongolians still play with a ferocity rarely seen on the conventional international polo circuit. Modern-day polo owes its popularity to the British in India who then took it to Argentina.

"Polo is definitely one sport that involves teamwork. One can start playing polo with one pony but it is always better to own more. In other words, the more the merrier," Mr Galea said.

The club committee also comprises Patrick Filletti (president); Adrian Balzan (secretary); and Matthew Borg (grounds manager).