Abu Dhabi: Al Ain Football Club announced on Sunday a three-year sponsorship deal with Abu Dhabi Airports (ADA).
The current UAE league champions are also expected to announce another major sponsorship deal within the coming weeks.
Al Ain’s tie-up with ADA, announced at a press conference in Abu Dhabi, marks the airport operator’s maiden venture into sports sponsorship.
The deal, the financial details of which were undisclosed. sees ADA become the ‘premium partner’ of the one-time AFC Champions League winners until 2016/17.
The ADA logo will feature on the new-look 2013/14 Al Ain jersey across the back of the shirt across and will be worn by star players such as last season’s Pro-League top scorer Asamoah Gyan and UAE superstar Omar Abdul Rahman.
Mahmoud Al Mahmoud, member of the board of Al Ain Club Investment Company, said the deal will pioneer the future of commercial agreements between sports and corporate bodies in the region.
“We are honoured to have Abu Dhabi Airports as the premium partner of Al Ain FC. The premise of this partnership will revolutionise affiliations between sports clubs and corporations in the region,” he said.
“We have changed our philosophy towards how we approach partnerships, improving visibility and exclusivity for our partners, whilst simultaneously boosting opportunities for Al Ain FC.”
Mohammad Mubarak Al Mazrouei, ADA Board Member, said the partnership will support the airport operator’s efforts to contribute towards the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030.
“[ADA] is keen to support drivers that have been contributing to the development of this society. Al Ain Football Club has been a major anchor in our community and we are proud today to be a part of its legacy,” he said.
Al Ain’s new stadium — the 25,000 capacity Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium — is slated for completion by the end of the year and will offer numerous sponsorship opportunities, the club added.
