Dubai: The UAE National Olympic Committee (UAE NOC) yesterday signed an agreement with BP UAE, naming the energy firm its official oil and gas partner.
BP UAE will provide direct support to the country's Olympic and Paralympic teams, as well as to six athletes in the run-up to and during the course of the 2012 London Games.
"This agreement is the culmination of a cordial relationship that we share with BP, where we will have BP backing our sportspersons both from the Olympic and Paralympic squads, along with their involvement at the community level in fostering sports," Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, finance director of the UAE NOC, said.
Thani Juma Berregad, vice-president of the UAE Paralympic Committee, expressed hope that paralympic athletes from the UAE would better their record of four medals, including one gold, that they bagged during the 2004 Athens Games.
"Since first taking part in the Paralympic Games in 1992 [Barcelona], we have always endeavoured to give off our best for the sake of the sport and our country. And I hope that, with this backing from BP, we will do even better this time," Berregad said.
BP's Abdul Karim Al Mazmi was confident that UAE's athletes would be true ambassadors this summer.
"This strategic partnership showcases the history of more than 75 years that BP has shared with the UAE. We have a long-term commitment to this country and we hope these athletes will make us all proud in London," Al Mazmi said.
