Dubai Holding announces AED 20 million sponsorship of UAE National Football Team for next four years

DUBAI, 23 April 2005: Dubai Holding has announced AED 20 Million sponsorship of the UAE National Football Team and will actively support all its activities for the next four years in line with its commitment to the people of UAE.

The sponsorship agreement was signed in Dubai today by Mohammed Al Gergawi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding and Chairman of the UAE National Football Team Yousuf Al Serkal.

The Dubai Holding CEO stated: "We are extremely pleased to sponsor the UAE National Football team. The fact that we will continue to actively support our leading sports institution for the next four years, is an affirmation of our duty and commitment to supporting the national team in its quest for glory at regional and international events. We firmly believe that serving the country & society is the duty of every organization and establishment. "

Al Gergawi pointed out that football is a national sport popular with the public. "We, at Dubai Holding, are always looking for opportunities to contribute to our country and our society. We believe that in sponsoring the UAE National Football Team, we are assisting in developing the sports sector- and that is another step towards a 'better tomorrow' that we have promised to bring to our people."

He said Dubai Holding is firmly committed towards the UAE community and its support of the UAE National Football Team is a sign of this commitment and its dedication to support the country in all aspects. "What better way to demonstrate our gratitude to our country; our commitment to our society and our dedication to the national sport, than by sponsoring the UAE's National Football Team," the Dubai Holding CEO added.

Face of sports
Yousuf Al Serkal thanked Dubai Holding for being a national pioneer in sponsoring the UAE National Football Team. "The team acts as the face of sports for our country, locally and regionally. Our ambition through this sponsorship is to grow the team and reach regional and international glory. We wish to re-establish UAE football in the Arab and global arena through our sponsor - Dubai Holding," Al Serkal said.

The UAE Team chairman said: "Our relationship is not new. We experienced a great partnership with Dubai Holding during the 17th Gulf Cup in Qatar at the end of 2004. It was the strong start of a relationship between us and proves the interest and active role in the society of both the National Football Team and Dubai Holding," Al Serkal said.

He said that the Dubai Holding Group is like "our team with its different players holding key positions in the field. Their example of their teamwork and winning ways and their moral support will certainly help us in our quest for wins."

Over the next four years the UAE National Football team is likely to participate in over 30 friendly matches as well as competitive games. It has begun preparations for next year's Asian Cup qualifying games. In 2007, the UAE National Football Team will play the Gulf Cup and the Asian Cup Finals, and in the following year, it will again compete for the Gulf Cup and take part in the World Cup qualifying games.

Dubai Holding launched under the directives of HH General Skeikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence, is set to play a significant role in the creation of a large number of mega projects, all of which are expected to be among the top companies in the Middle East. New areas of growth cover the diversified field of media, healthcare, tourism, property, energy, industrial, research and humanitarian-related projects.