Etisalat partners 3rd Arab Women Sports Tournament – Sharjah 2016 as “Platinum Sponsor”

Sheikh Khaled Al Qasimi: High-profile sponsors are crucial to tournament’s success

5 Dariya News

Sharjah 24-Nov-2015

The 3rd Arab Women Sports Tournament’s (AWST) Organizing Committee has just entered into a sponsorship agreement with Etisalat, making the global Telecoms Corporation the first Platinum Sponsor of the Sharjah 2016 Tournament.The contract was signed on Monday (Nov. 23) at the Etisalat-Sharjah HQ between HE Sheikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the tournament’s Supreme Organizing Committee and, HE AbdulazizTaryam, CEO Advisor & General Manager of Etisalat - Northern Emirates,with the attendance of Nada Al Naqbi, Head of AWST’s Executive Committee - Tournament’s Manager.Al Qasimi applauded the allegiance, saying: "Etisalat’s sponsorship once again confirms our national institutions’ deep-seated patriotism and commitment to support the sport scene in the UAE.Their dedication will certainly bolster the development of local women’s sports, encouraging female athletes to contend in both Emirati and Arab clubs which in turn will positively affect their public presence whilst gaining valuable experience through exposure to high levels of sports."

Al Qasimi said that the great support from HH SheikhaJawaherbint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of HH the Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and SLC Chairperson, has significantly contributed to the tournament’s success, and she encouraged other major-league companies and sponsors to support the prestigious Arab sports event.He continued: "There is no doubt that the Platinum Sponsorship by an industry leader like Etisalat will shed light on the 3rd Arab Women Sports Tournament and push it toward further progress and development, which in turn will further attract participants and fans in different stadiums hosting the games."He added that the Etisalat Platinum deal follows short on the heels of the upcoming event’s first Golden Sponsorship by the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC).

For his part, HE Abdul Aziz Hamad Taryam, said: "Etisalat’s partnership with the tournament is part of our commitment towards the local community to provide support and care for the benefit of all segments of the society. It reflects the company’s interest in events held in our hometown and overseas, and in contributing to bring recognition to the UAE in various fields as well as local, regional and international forums. As a strong supporter of women in all areas, we are pleased to be the Platinum Sponsor for this tournament, in line with the vision of the state and its leadership."Taryam said that sports in the UAE require further support and encouragement in order to elevate it to global levels and achieve better results, consistent with the directives of our wise leadership to support sports in general, and women's sports in particular.Etisalat holds a long record of initiatives sponsoring various tournaments and sports events held both within the country and globally, including many historical events such as the FIFA World Youth Championship, the World Polo Championship, the World Open Chess Championship, the Sharjah Marine Sports Championship, the Emirates Civilization Marathon, Al Fujairah Marine Sports Championship, the Fishing and Equestrian Festival, Al Ain Air Show Festival and the Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship.

About Etisalat:

Etisalat is the UAE's leading telecommunications operator and one of the largest corporations in the GCC. As well as establishing several "firsts" over almost four decades of operations, Etisalat has deployed many innovative mobile and fixed technologies that have helped the UAE maintain its position as a leading global ICT economy. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Etisalat serves 11.6 million customers in the UAE.

About AWST:

The Arab Women Sports Tournament was launched after the Sharjah Ladies Club (founded in 1982 as an institution of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs) organized a number of successful sports tournaments called “Gulf Countries Competition”. Following this success HH SheikhaJawaher establish the Women Sports Department in 2008.Arab countries outside the Gulf expressed interest in taking part in future events and as a result, HH SheikhaJawaher developed the Arab Women Sports Tournament, the first of its kind in the Arab World. Two editions of AWST have already been successfully organized in 2012 and 2014.The highly anticipated Sharjah 2016 tournament participants will compete in eight sports: basketball, volleyball, table tennis, fencing, archery, shooting, athletics and show-jumping.