Dr. Addas, let’s start with your passion for polo. What inspired you to take up polo, and how did you develop your skills in this sport?
My passion for Polo goes back to the year 2000 when I was watching the summer Olympic games In Sydney and in particular the showjumping competition. I was amazed and inspired by the glorious victory of the Saudi rider Khaled Al-Eid winning a bronze medal in such a highly competitive sport over the best riders of the world. That was one of the first medals that we earned in such an international event.
From the next day I started searching for a place where I can ride and start practicing this sport (there were not many choices available like it is today). I found a proper equestrian center. Since that time nothing could keep me away from horses and equestrian.
During these years I developed my skills in different equestrian sports and I used to train in a very committed way and on regular basis. As for polo in particular I started it during my fellowship training years in Canada as the barn that I ride in was a polo ranch and I was lucky to have such an opportunity of being able to join the polo team in that lovely ranch having a beautiful polo field and magnificent horses.
Being a dedicated polo player since 2000, can you share some of your most memorable experiences on the field?
In regard to memorable experience they are may but if I choose to mention a couple unforgettable incidents that I consider precious moments for me I would say they are: The first was my first participation with The Saudi Polo federation, during the first polo camp in Dubai in 2019. A year before, I was present in a showjumping competition in Riyadh after I had returned from my scholarship and practicing this sport abroad between France and Canada. At that time, I was unsuccessfully searching for polo players in Saudi to join with no success. In that competition I spotted a small booth with a sign written on it Saudi Polo Federation, I approached it and I met a welcoming gentleman named Mr. Faisal bin Dowees (the CEO of the Saudi Polo federation) we chatted and exchange contacts. Few months later I joined them travelling with group of Saudi players to our first camp. We spent a week with an extensive training program including all sorts of training with highly professional levels and that was the start of my journey and experience with the Saudi Polo federation.
Another unforgettable experience was Alula polo competition. I have been to a lot of polo tournament all over the globe but I can say with confidence that for me and for many others who attended this event that it is one of the best life moments playing polo in this culturally significant place that has rich history, cultural importance and magnificence views.
As a member of the Saudi Polo Federation, what do you see as the future of polo in Saudi Arabia, and how do you envision contributing to its growth?
As a member of the federation and someone who witnessed its birth and fast growth I have no doubt that this sport has a brightening future under the Saudi Polo federation. So far, it is exceeding many other polo federations worldwide that have been there for longer times. What had been achieved in the last few years is remarkable taking into account the short time and the numerous challenges they encountered (for example the pandemic was one of the major challenges that confronted the federation in its early days in a time they had to postpone a lot of plans that they had because of the pandemic). But thanks to the unlimited governmental support and the commitment of the colleagues in the federation we were able to overcome these obstacles and put the name of the Saudi polo in a prestigious place internationally. The Federation is investing in the polo facilities managing high quality fields, establishing more academies with professional training programs, and increasing the awareness about the sport. Last but not least hosting international events such as Polo Alula where you can see the best polo players and teams in the world playing here in Saudi, that is a great achievement.
Leadership and Academic Contributions
You recently earned an Executive MBA from Prince Mohammad bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship. How has this experience influenced your approach to leadership in your medical and personal pursuits?
Earning an executive MBA from a strong college that carries a precious name for us Prince Mohammad bin Salman was one of the best decisions of my life. The program that we were involved in helped me to develop a broader understanding of the healthcare industry and strategic planning.
It assisted me in having effective decision-making skills and understanding of long-term plans in medical practice and healthcare institutions, something extremely important in our era and in a time where healthcare in the Kingdom is poised to significant advancement.
Inspired by His Highness Prince Mohammad Bin Salman’s vision, how do you see the future of healthcare and medical education evolving in Saudi Arabia?
Healthcare and medical education are crucial components of his highness Prince Mohammad bin Salman Vision 2030. The vision that focuses on diversifying the sources of economy in the Kingdom GNP, improving the life quality and encouraging a vibrant society where youth are the majority of the population. Healthcare and medical education is a priority in his highness vision with significant investments in building new hospitals equipped with the most advanced medical equipment and technologies as well as upgrading the existing infrastructures.
These hospitals are run by a well-trained up-to-date skillful Saudi doctors that had the highest level of training in the best institutes worldwide thanks to the Saudi scholarship program that invested in the Saudi youth and enabled them to reach such high levels of training. In regard to the medical education in the Kingdom it is establishing new medical schools and research centers collaborating with international institutions and incorporating new innovating teaching methods based on problem based learning, simulation training and interactive platforms to enhance medical education and we are proud to see our Saudi graduate today working in these new hospitals in all the regions compared to a time when Saudi doctors were only 15% of the general number of doctors in our hospitals .
Balancing Dual Passions
How do you balance the demanding career of a thoracic surgeon with your dedication to horse riding and polo?
Balancing between these two demanding domains is based on an effective time management plan, putting priorities and having a balanced distribution amongst these priorities, family and lifestyle. It is not an easy equation as it might appear but it is definitely achievable by having daily, weekly and monthly goals and clear plans to achieve them and stick to them as much as possible. I always try to plan my vacations around important equestrian and polo competitions to make sure I can participate without professional conflict between my various responsibilities.
What advice would you give to young medical professionals who aspire to achieve a balance between their careers and personal passions?
Balancing between the medical profession which is demanding and other passions is not an easy task but it is highly rewarding. It is based on four corners. First, you need to have an efficient time management with clear priorities and plans. Second, you should focus on having a work and life demands balance avoiding overlapping of one over the other so that you don’t let work to overtake your family and personal life requirements all the time or vice versa. Third, have a selfcare and well-being routine for both physical and mental health. Last but not least set realistic goals and keep working on your personal development by continuous learning and skill enhancement especially in our times were the developments and updates in all domains and in medicine in particular is faster that any time before.
Looking Forward
What are your future goals in both your medical career and your involvement in polo?
In my professional career I am working mainly on three aspects. First of all, in a medical field that is evolving in a high speed I am always working on advancing my surgical techniques particularly in the robotic technology in surgery. I am proud that we are one of the first thoracic departments in the western region that starts thoracic robotic operations and will continue to take the lead with cooperation with our Thoracic colleagues in surrounded hospitals.
Secondly, we will continue in our clinical research and innovation in healthcare to contribute in the development of new surgical techniques and treatments especially with the unlimited governmental support. Thirdly, I want to continue the leadership and mentorship roles equipped with experience and knowledge obtained from his highness prince Mohammad bin Salman college.
For polo, my aim is to continue skill development by advancing my training as well as participating in competitions making sure to be present as much as I can whenever and wherever the Saudi polo needs my participation in order to keep the high level for the game. In addition to that I will continue to put my efforts in building the polo community and develop the sport in all regions of our kingdom.
Finally, is there a particular message or philosophy that you live by and would like to share with our readers?
As a surgeon dealing daily with patients suffering from cancers and deadly diseases, I realize that each day in our live is a gift especially if we are blessed with health, so my general advice is to be thankful to this present by providing the best for yourself and the surrounding society each day and enjoy what you are doing to be able to reach the place that you want because the day that is gone will never be replaced.
Another massage for the younger surgeons is to always prioritize the wellbeing of your patients, respect them and show them empathy and always remember the say that helping one person might not change the whole world, but it could change the world for one person.