HSBC continues support for Dubai Sevens

HSBC Bank Middle East Limited has underlined its commitment to the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens by signing up as the tournament's official bank for a further three years.

HSBC, who has been the official bank of the tournament since 2002, signed the agreement with official sponsors Emirates Airline at the tournament's 'Long Lunch', which kicked off the 2005 Dubai Rugby Sevens campaign recently.

The sponsorship will see HSBC provide financial services for the event, ATM machines during the three-day rugby carnival, to be held from November 30-December 2, and the bank will also hold an exhibition stand within the tournament's International Village as well as entertain corporate guests.

And weather permitting, HSBC is also planning to have its hot air balloon fly over the tournament which is expected to see over 60,000 fans come through the gates.

"We are delighted to continue our strong association with this famous event which just keeps getting bigger and better every year it is hosted," said David Hodgkinson, Deputy Chairman and CEO of HSBC Bank Middle East Limited.

"The Dubai Rugby Sevens is now firmly cemented as one of the region's most enjoyable sporting and social events and it's one which we are proud to be a part of."

HSBC has been involved with the Dubai Rugby Sevens tournament, which is in its 36th year, since the 1970s when it was The British Bank of the Middle East by entering its own teams in the tournament through the '70s, '80s and '90s.

"We are proud to say that we have been involved in the Dubai Rugby Sevens right from its early origins," said Peter Loakman, Corporate Advertising and Sponsorship Manager, HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, who himself played in the Dubai Sevens along with David Hodgkinson in years gone by.

Gary Chapman, President of Dnata and Associated Companies, Emirates Group, welcomed the on-going support of HSBC.

"HSBC has been a great supporter of the Dubai Rugby Sevens and their involvement over many years has helped it to grow into one of the premier sevens rugby tournaments in the world," Chapman said.