National Bonds to host world class football teams

Dubai: National Bonds Corporation, the pioneer of Sharia compliant saving schemes in the United Arab Emirates, will host international football clubs at the inaugural Mohammad Bin Rashid International Football Championship held in association with the Dubai Sports Council, from January 8 to 10, 2007 at the Al Ahli Football Stadium, Dubai.

Mohammad Bin Rashid International Football Championship, with a prize fund of $2 million, will be an annual event that would showcase global football talent for football lovers in the UAE.

The inaugural Mohammad Bin Rashid International Football Championship was announced to the international media at a special ceremony held at Bayern Munich's arena in the presence of German football legend Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, and representatives of international football giants Bayern Munich (Germany), Benfica (Portugal), SS Lazio (Italy) and Santos (Brazil) the four teams that have confirmed participation at the tournament.

Mohammad Bin Rashid International Football Championship will be part of Dubai's shopping and entertainment extravaganza, the Dubai Shopping Festival, and will be telecast on international television channels.

The four teams will play two semifinals on January 8 followed by the final and third-place match on January 10 at the championship, which is billed to be one of the finest football spectacles to be ever held in the UAE. "Football is the most popular sport on earth and by rolling out the inaugural Mohammad Bin Rashid International Football Championship, we are reiterating our commitment to our valued clientele the large population of UAE residents," said Nasser Bin Hassan Al Shaikh, Vice Chairman and CEO, National Bonds Corporation.