Arab and two Poles hosting a contest (7)
I believe the answer is:
saracen
'arab' is the definition.
(I know that Saracen is a type of arab)
'two poles hosting a contest' is the wordplay.
'two poles' becomes 'sn'.
'hosting' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters are welcomed in or hosted).
'contest' becomes 'race' (race is a kind of contest).
'a'+'race'='arace'
'sn' going around 'arace' is 'SARACEN'.
'and' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for saracen that I've seen before include "Crusader's foe" , "Opponent of the Crusaders" , "Muslim defender in Crusades" , "Arab or Muslim at time of the Crusades" , "British Army armoured people carrier" .)