Emirates NBD the main sponsor of Al Nasr Football Company for fifth consecutive year

Press release

Published September 1st, 2013 - 11:51 GMT

Al Bawaba

In line with its “Passion for Football” strategy, Emirates NBD, a leading bank in the region, confirmed its ongoing support to the Al Nasr Football Company, as the main sponsor of its various activities for the fifth consecutive year.

Emirates NBD’s support of the UAE’s oldest football club, also underlines the shared heritage of the two institutions at a time when the bank is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its establishment as the first UAE National bank in the country. Al Nasr Football Company’sproud 68-year history began in 1945, with many legendary international teams playing at its Dubai-based Al Maktoum Stadium over the years.

The sponsorship announcement also underlines the bank’s long standing support to the local community and youth development initiatives in the United Arab Emirates, where football holds a predominant position and has a massive following among all sporting activities.

“We at Emirates NBD share an endless passion for football with hundreds of thousands of fans across the United Arab Emirates,” said Saif Al Mansoori, Deputy Head – Group Marketing and Branding at Emirates NBD.“As a leading bank in the region, we have been actively involved in supporting sports activities that are of interest to the UAE community. We are therefore delighted once again, to be the main sponsor of the Al Nasr Football Company and look forward to a successful season ahead.” he added.

During the 2013 - 2014 season, which begins in September this year, fans of Al Nasr Football Company will witness a new level of interaction with their club. As part of the sponsorship, Emirates NBD will also support the club’s activities through its social media platform, offering a host of special offers and tickets to the home game through online competitions.

Additionally, the bank plans to launch initiatives to bring football to selected communities, schools and special needs organisations, where football enthusiasts can interact closely with football stars from the Al Nasr first team.

Speaking of the partnership, Ahmed Hashim Khoury, Vice Chairman of Al Nasr Club and Al Nasr Football Company, said: “As the oldest sports club in the UAE and part of its sporting heritage, Al Nasr Sports Club is delighted to be partnering with Emirates NBD for the fifth consecutive year. We are confident that our strategic partnership with the leading financial institution in the region will boost Al Nasr’s bid to be among the top three teams this football season and will strengthen our position as one of the most powerful football clubs in the UAE.”

Emirates NBD actively supports and encouragesmany popular sports activities around the world. The bank is closely involved with many major international sporting events, including the Dubai Indoor Football Championship, FINA World Swimming Championships, the Lawyers Polo, the Arabian Horse Racing Day in the UK and the Dubai World Cup - the richest horse race in the world. The bank also supports high-profile international golfing events, such asthe Omega Dubai Desert Classic and Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.

Background Information

Emirates NBD

Emirates NBD, the leading banking group in the region, was formed on 19 June 1963, when H.H. Late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum signed the Charter of Incorporation of the National Bank of Dubai (NBD) which became the first National Bank established in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With the blessings of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, NBD merged with Emirates Bank International (EBI) on 06 March 2007, to form Emirates NBD, the largest banking group in the region by assets. On 16 October 2007, the shares of Emirates NBD were officially listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM). The merger between EBI and NBD to create Emirates NBD, became a regional consolidation blueprint for the banking and finance sector as it combined the second and fourth largest banks in the UAE to form a banking champion capable of delivering enhanced value across corporate, retail, private, Islamic and investment banking throughout the region.