• • Nachi Heguy playing in Dubai with Amr Zedan's team
  • Nachi & Rodolfo Ducos, who took him to Dubai
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Nachi Heguy in Dubai

"Dubai is the perfect place for the family"

Next to playing with Ellerstina, Nachi Heguy went to Dubai for the first time

By PoloLine

PoloLine met up with Nachi Heguy, while in Dubai, where he went to play at Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, with Amr Zedan's team.
In an exclusive interiew, he talked all -  his very first time in Dubai, next steps for the rest of the year, his experience with Ellerstina, and what's coming up next for the Argentine Season.

Is this your first time in Dubai?
Yes, it is my first time; I came with my family (NR: wife Natascha Elliott, daughter Siena and son Iñigo), and I did almost everything. We even go skiing in Dubai, that's great!!!  We also rode camels... it's OK, but I still prefer horses!!! There are a lot of things to do in Dubai, it is the perfect place for the family. 

How did you get the opportunity to play in Dubai?
It came through Rodolfo (Ducós). I was in England and I got a call from him last year. He told me about the chance to go to Dubai, see horses and start the organization with Amr Zedan, who wants to develop it big.

You've been in Brunei some years ago. How would you compare both destinations?
I think there are some differences. Dubai is culturally much different, there is a more cosmopolitan place. There are people from England, Europe, United States. Fifteen years ago, Brunei was not so open to other cultures. We played polo all the time back then, there; well, we also play polo here, but the culture is different in Dubai, they are much more open-minded; Dubai is a mix of Europe and United States, they brought the best of both worlds.

You will play with Adolfo Cambiaso next season in UK. Have you played with him before?
Yes, I did in US, we won the US Open. I've played with Adolfo outside Argentina; in Argentina, we usually play against each other. I think we are going to have a good team. Besides, outside Argentina, there is not another season that is so competitive like UK, it is the best polo you can play, outside Argentina. The 26-goal season in US is very competitive, too, but the 22-goal in UK is very difficult to play.

What do you think about the chance to have 10 teams instead of 8 in the Argentine Open?
Well, this is to give chances to new teams and new players to play the Open; but it is not that easy to play the Open. The level is so good, so high, that it would be complicated for a 7-goal player. However, I think it would help many young players and new teams, to improve their polo.
I don't know how they plan to do it;  but if they have the eight highest rated teams into the Triple Crown, and then the qualifiers to have the other two, it would be fine.

You will be playing in La Natividad next season, with Rodrigo Ribeiro de Adrade, Lolo Castagnola and Polito Pieres, a good combination...
Yes; in fact, I played my first Open with Lolo, and that was good, we're good friends. This is a different team; last year I played in Ellerstina, a great experience for me, but this is different. We're going to do our best, and keep playing.

I guess that playing with such a team like Ellerstina has been such a terrific experience for you, to be a part of such a worldwide renowned organization founded by Gonzalo Pieres and Kerry Packer. I heard you compared Ellerstina with Barcelona...
Yes, of course! Both La Dolfina and Ellerstina are one step higher from the rest; well, la Dolfina is even one step and a half, I think they can do even better than they did in 2011. Ellerstina will have a new team, with the three Pieres brothers, and Mariano Aguerre. It is a good team, but it will take some time to reach their best.

How about your brothers, Pepe and Ruso? Would you be able to play together again sometime?
Our last season together was not our best one, but I can say that we spent a great time playing together. I had the chance to join a new team, so I don't think we will play together again. But we play together every day, in la Pampa and Buenos Aires. We get along really great.