* Partnership to contribute to community, through targeted youth and facility
development initiatives
* Club`s new strategic direction includes a focused CSR program to support the
youth of the UAE
DUBAI--(Business Wire)--
Al Nasr Football Club and Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons have announced a strategic
partnership that will see the latter become a major sponsor for Al Nasr`s first
team competing in the United Arab Emirates Football League (UFL).
As part of the agreement, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons logo will appear on the Al Nasr
football team shirt for all games during the 2009 - 2010 season with a view to
extending the agreement for an additional 2 years.
Both Al Nasr Club and Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons have a strong commitment to corporate
social responsibility and this partnership reinforces both the club`s and
Seddiqi`s commitment to the implementation of such programs.
HH Sheikh Maktoum Bin Hasher Al Maktoum, Chairman of Al Nasr, said: "We have a
clear vision and development plan for the club, and through this partnership
with Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, one of the leading family business companies dealing
with luxury brands in the region, we believe our plans are even more achievable.
Having Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons support our vision will ensure that we have every
opportunity to succeed in further developing our team, our club, and the
community in which we live."
"Al Nasr is already supporting a multi-million dirham youth for sports programme
and provides children under the age of 18 with opportunities to learn and grow
through their participation in a professional sports program. We provide our
youth with access to professional coaches and venues and the importance that
this plays in social and physical development is integral," stated HH Sheikh
Maktoum Bin Hasher Al Maktoum.
Qasim Ibrahim Seddiqi, Director at Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons said: "We are delighted
to be part of the vision and plans of Al Nasr and see great synergies between
what the club is trying to achieve and the values that we stand for as a leading
company of luxury brands. We are looking forward to working with Al Nasr to
ensure its fans, our customers, employees and the community all benefit from the
activities and plans that we have."
Both Al Nasr Club and Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons will focus on a number of community
initiatives throughout the year aimed at ensuring the integration of the entire
Dubai community with the Al Nasr club games, events and activities. As part of
the new development plan for the club, the revenue from the deal will be
re-invested into the club through the youth development scheme, new facilities
and activities to ensure the sustainable and ongoing development of the club.
Note to Editors:
Sheikh Maktoum Bin Hasher Al Maktoum
His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum is the Chairman of the Dubai
International Holdings (DIHC) and CEO of Al Fajer Enterprises, a business
conglomerate which has over 18,000 employees with an annual turnover of
approximately AED 5.8 billion. He was appointed as the President of Al Fajer
Properties (AFP) in early 2008. Immediately after his appointment he
restructured AFP which is now a profitable real estate venture. Sheikh Maktoum
was recently awarded the MENA `CEO of the Year` Award in the property sector.
Earlier in 2007, the Davos-based World Economic Forum honoured him with the
prestigious `Young Global Leader` award. He has also been honoured with the
Young CEO of the Year award for 2008 by the Middle East Excellence Awards
institute presented by the former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin.A
member of the Dubai`s ruling family, Sheikh Maktoum is a graduate with BS/BA in
finance with Honours from Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts. Sheikh
Maktoum entered the world of International business investments at a very early
age and he was one of the founding investors of Virgin Megastores in the UAE.He
was also the director of Shadar Holdings, where he held partnerships in the
United Arab Emirates divisions of Virgin Megastores, Pull and Bear, and
Bershka.Sheikh Maktoum has an avid interest in sports. He is the founder of A1
Grand Prix, which he sold out later to the UK-based investment firm, RAB Capital
in 2006.In addition to motor sports, Sheikh Maktoum is a soccer aficionado and
in 2009 was appointed as Chairman of the Al Nasr Sports Club.
About Al Nasr Club
Al Nasr meaning "Victory" was founded in 1945 by a group of young men with a
strong vision and passion for creating the team, in Mohamed Ali Zain`s land in
Al Gobaiba. A resolution was issued three years later which transformed the team
into a club with a clear vision and mission and this was when Al Nasr, as we
know it today was born.
Al-Nasr`s Board of Directors comprises of the most senior and experienced
leaders in the UAE.The President and the foundation of the club is His Highness
Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of
Finance.The board of directors is led by the Chairman, His Highness Sheikh
Maktoum Bin Hasher Al Maktoum.
Al Nasr, located in the heart of old Dubai, near to American Hospital, is the
oldest club in the UAE and provides facilities for football, basketball,
volleyball, handball, swimming, tennis, cycling and karate, in addition to a
wide variety of leisure activities, including Al Nasr Leisureland.
About Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons
Established in 1950, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons is a family owned and run business
synonymous with exquisitely designed watches. From its humble beginnings as a
single store in the Bur Dubai Souk, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons has thrived to become
the largest retailer of Swiss Brand watches in the Middle East, boasting a
portfolio of over 50 prestigious brands across 52 locations in the UAE. The
passion for luxury Swiss watches is deeply embedded in Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons
family. The Board of Directors and Executive Committee is comprised of the
second, third and fourth generation of the Seddiqi family.
For further information and store locations please visit www.seddiqi.com
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Al Nasr Football Club
Michael Rodosthenous, General Manger
M: +971 50 919 3436
E: mrodeos@gmail.com
Copyright Business Wire 2009
