Al Jazira, Aabar sign Dh4m sponsorship deal

Abu Dhabi: Al Jazira on Sunday announced that it had signed a new Dh4 million sponsorship deal with Aabar Investment Company for one season.

"The sponsorship deal comes as a step to implement the directions of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in the Western Region and the President of the club's Honorary Council and Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and President of the club. We aim and plan to be one of the leading clubs not only in the UAE but in the region and the world as well," Hamad Al Hurr Al Suwaidi, the chairman of the club's Professionalism Committee, told the conference.

"We are grateful for our old partners from Aabar who wanted to renew the contract for a new season."

Khalifa Al Muhairi, from Aabar, thanked the club's presidency for providing the chance for his company to be part of the great success which the club achieved last season.

More success

"The success that occurred last season is but a sign for more success to happen this season and we are proud to be part of it," he said.

Al Suwaidi said that the sponsorship deals of the club this season and the revenues of its investment companies contributed a great deal to the club's budget.

" I am not sure how much the deals have brought to the club but they are representing a great part of our budget and are encouraging [us] in our plans to transfer to become an independent professional club with its own financial resources."

The deal was signed as the club's new Brazilian striker Ricardo Oliveira presented his shirt as a gift to Al Muhairi a day before the club's derby against their traditional rivals and neighbours Al Wahda that will be played today.

Stadium upgraded

Al Jazira's football squad has for the first time trained on the natural grass surface at the newly refurbished Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium, ahead of their UFL opening home fixture today.

The Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium, which is one of two host venues for the forthcoming Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2009, now also boasts of a 42,000 seating capacity.

Mohammad Khalfan Al Rumaithi, president of the UAE FA, said: "The permanent infrastructure upgrades, [which] are happening at Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium and Zayed Stadium in preparation for the Fifa Club World Cup UAE, are an important part of the lasting legacy that the tournament will leave behind for all the emirates."