Dubai: Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club has signed a sponsorship agreement with Emaar Properties. The deal sees Emaar emblazoned on the club’s shirt for the 2017-18 season.
The agreement was signed by Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman, director general of the Department of Protocol and Hospitality in Dubai and Mohammad Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties at Emaar headquarters.
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club was formed following the merging of three sides; Al Shabab, Al Ahli and Dubai Club in May upon the instructions of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, is the chairman of the new club, with Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, as the first vice-chairman; and Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chairman of the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation as the second vice-chairman.
Khalifa said Shaikh Mohammad’s vision to merge the three clubs would strengthen the sport, build the club and provide more opportunities for Emirati football to achieve regionally and internationally.
Alabbar said Emaar’s support underlined its corporate social responsibility to partner initiatives that added to the pride of the UAE.
“The private sector has a key role in supporting sport in the UAE and in empowering the team to compete globally, thereby meeting the aspirations of our leadership and the community,” he said.
“Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club brings the combined strength of three Clubs. This integration marks the right direction in the growth of football in the UAE, and will enable the team to achieve remarkable success at various regional and international tournaments,” he added.
