Etihad Airways will be the official sponsor of the UAE’s national football teams according to a multi-year partnership agreement signed by the national airline and the UAE’s Football Association.

The partnership was officially announced at a signing ceremony at the UAE Football Association Headquarters in Dubai, by Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, President of the UAE Football Association, Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer and Mohammad Al Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer of Etihad Aviation Group, as well as the board members of the UAE FA, Mohammed Hazzam Al Dhaheri, The General Secretary and a group of media personnel.

Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi said that the leadership's backing had led to the UAE being known as “the capital of world sport”, and provided an opportunity for citizens to play a variety of games. It has also resulted in the development of world-class sporting facilities, where UAE institutions have hosted large international events in recent decades.

Sheikh Rashid, praised Etihad Airways for its own contribution to sport, and to football in particular, stressing that the UAE’s national airline plays a major role in supporting sports locally and abroad and clearly understands its importance in developing and uniting communities.

Sheikh Rashid affirmed that Etihad’s sponsorship of Emirati football aids the implementation of programmes to develop national teams and helps the football community to continue its work and achieve its administrative and technical goals, praising the airline’s clear role in community service.

The President of the UAE FA expressed his happiness and said: “We are very proud to announce this partnership with Etihad Airways, which is one of the greatest airlines in the world. Every Emirati is proud of the national airline, and I take this opportunity to praise the wisdom of its leaders.

“I would like to thank Etihad Airways for the sponsorship of Emirati football, which we hope will help to raise the country's flag in continental and international competitions. The partnership with Etihad adds strength to the Football Association and makes it more capable of facing challenges.”

Tony Douglas said: “Football is in our DNA – we’ve been proud supporters of prestigious football clubs around the world for many years – and the entire Etihad family is incredibly excited to support ‘the beautiful game’ in our home country. This is a hugely significant partnership and we, as the UAE’s national airline, look forward to nurturing this over the years to come.”

Mohammed Hazzam Al Dhaheri said that it would serve all sectors of Emirati football, and its positive effects would be significant in the near future. He said that Etihad’s support for domestic and foreign sports is not new to the airline because its administration believes in the importance of sport and its great role in development, stability, and coexistence of people. – TradeArabia News Service