Emaar’s strategic support for the club strengthens the national sports initiative, says Khalifa Saeed SulaimanOur support is aimed at building a highly competitive sports team in line with the aspirations of the leadership and the community, says Mohamed Alabbar
Dubai, UAE; September 25, 2017: Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Emaar Properties PJSC marking the company’s sponsorship of the team for the current season. The agreement was signed by HE Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman, Director-General of the Department of Protocol and Hospitality in Dubai, and Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, in the presence of senior representatives of both entities, at Emaar headquarters.
HE Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman thanked Emaar for its strategic partnership and its support to strengthening the sport in the UAE. He added that the sport will see significant strategic changes following the announcement by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, merging Al-Ahli, Al Shabab and Dubai Clubs as one entity named Shahab Al-Ahli Club.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, is the Chairman of the new club, with His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, as the First Vice Chairman; and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, as the Second Vice Chairman.
HE Khalifa said that the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is to strengthen the sport, build the team’s skills further, and provide more opportunities for Emirati football to achieve significant accomplishments regionally and internationally at high-level tournaments.
Alabbar said that Emaar’s support underlines its corporate social responsibility to partner in initiatives that add to the pride of the nation. “The private sector has a key role in supporting the sport in the UAE and in empowering the team to compete globally, thereby meeting the aspirations of our leadership and the community.”
He added that the UAE has a wealth of young football talent, and the strategic partnership with the Club is part of Emaar’s strategy to strengthen its role in promoting the sport. “Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club brings the combined strength of three Clubs. This integration marks the right direction in the growth of football in the UAE, and will enable the team to achieve remarkable success at various regional and international tournaments.”