Emirates NBD supports Fazza Championships 2012

Press release

Published January 5th, 2012 - 08:29 GMT

Emirates NBD

In yet another initiative to support sports, culture and the traditions of the UAE, Emirates NBD, a leading bank in the region, announced today its sponsorship of the highly anticipated Fazza Championships 2012. The Championships are held annually under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.

This is the fourth consecutive year that Emirates NBD has pledged its support to one of the most popular sporting events in the UAE.

The Fazza Championships were first launched in 2002, under the directive of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan, to preserve the cultural heritage of the UAE.

“For Emiratis, these championships provide a unique opportunity to celebrate and preserve their national identity,” said Abdullah Hamdan Bin Dalmook, Executive Manager of Fazza Championships, Office of Sheikh Hamdan. “They enable future generations to understand and appreciate the rich cultural history of the Emirates. Emirates NBD’s sponsorship demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the bank towards local community initiatives and the promotion of sports and culture in the UAE.”

The championships showcase traditional Emirati sports such as falconry, hunting and Al Yullah, a traditional dance in which a weapon is twirled and thrown into the air to demonstrate skill and agility. Alongside these deeply traditional sports, there are also other sports such as golf, football, swimming and horse racing, to name a few.

"At a time when we are celebrating 40 years of national unity, these championships take on an even more significant role,” said Saif Al Mansoori, Deputy Head – Group Marketing and Branding, Emirates NBD “The Fazza Championships provide continuity for these traditional arts of the UAE, some of which date back hundreds of years and may otherwise have been overlooked among today’s fast-changing lifestyles. At Emirates NBD, we believe in promoting sports and cultural activities in our communities, especially among youth.”

The Fazza Championships will be held from January 10 – April, 2012 at various locations across Dubai.

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.