Emirates NBD, a leading bank in the region, will partner with Al Nasr Sports Club, a Dubai-based professional football association, in supporting a series of football matches of the UAE national teams.

This is the second consecutive year that Emirates NBD has pledged its support for the longest established football club in the country.

The bank has also been invited by the Al Nasr management to be involved at a strategic level this year, and will be implementing a full marketing and branding campaign that will reflect the style of international football clubs, a statement said.

"At Emirates NBD, our core values include the principles of loyalty and teamwork, which is reflected in our collective performance,” said Saif Al Mansoori, representative of Emirates NBD Group, and head of executive committee for media and marketing, Al Nasr Sports Club.

“Team sports such as football are founded on these values and foster their promotion in society. Football also plays a key role by bring about a spirit of national pride,” he added. “We are therefore extremely pleased to offer our commitment and support to the Al Nasr Sports Club and look forward to a gripping season of matches ahead.”

Ibrahim Hussain Al Fardan, board member and financial auditor, Al Nasr Sports Club, said: “This is an exciting time for Al Nasr Sports Club and we are delighted to be partnering once again with Emirates NBD.”

“We have worked extremely hard and put in place a programme of investment in international players, which we believe will mark a noticeable shift in improvement in the club’s performance this year.”

“Al Nasr is very much a part of the sporting heritage of the UAE and has over the years paved the way for many of today’s sporting champions. We believe this season will be a successful continuation of that legacy,” he added.

The club, also known by its nickname “The Blue Wave,” began in 1945, and has since hosted a number of international teams at its Dubai-based Al Maktoum Stadium. – TradeArabia News Service