Emirates NBD sponsors UAE-Precor Under-16 team

Press release

Published August 17th, 2011 - 06:08 GMT

Al Bawaba

The biggest banking organization in the Middle East, Emirates NBD signed an agreement to sponsor the UAE’s leading amateur under-16 football team, UAE Precor.

The team recently placed among the top 16 teams at one of the world’s largest youth soccer tournaments, the Dana Cup. The tournament features 850 teams from 45 countries and takes place every year in Hjorring, Denmark, from July 25^th to 30^th, 2011.

“These youngsters show outstanding drive and promise and we support excellence wherever we find it. Our sponsorship of UAE Precor reflects our belief in the team and in the international talents living in the UAE,” said Abdulelah Al Kindy, General Manager, Retail Banking, Emirates NBD.

“As an organization, we are also keen on the economic, social and environmental sustainability of our community. We believe supporting youth sport will pay dividends in the long run as these young talents cement the future of UAE football.”

Back home in the Emirates, in addition to winning all U16 local and regional tournaments that took place in 2010/2011 season, the team recently secured a third place in Division 3 of the Dubai Amateur Adults Football League (DAFL) playing against adult teams. The team reached the knock-out-round 32 at the recently concluded Gothia Cup when an administrative mistake barred them from competing further. In the Danish youth tournament, Dana Cup, the team made it to the top 16 teams after placing first in their group in the boys’ under-16 division.

The UAE Precor team consists of 22 footballers representing at least 14 different countries. The team is coached by Derek Burke with Tarek Khalifa as his assistant coach. Burke also manages the team and encourages and supports them in all their achievements.

Speaking about the sponsorship, Tarek Khalifa said, “In addition to other eminent corporate sponsors, Emirates NBD’s endorsement is yet another valuable feather in the cap of the UAE Precor team. This sponsorship inspires and invigorates the players and it shows in their game. We are proud to be associated with Emirates NBD.”

UAE Precor is a team of 22 players of under 16 years of age and belonging to at least different nationalities. Coached and managed by Derek Burke, the man who saw talent and passion in these boys supports the team in all their achievements. The most recent victory for UAE Precor is winning the ‘(U16) TTD International Super Cup’ against teams from India, South Africa and Qatar in a five-day tournament conducted at the Dubai Sevens Stadium football pitches.

Background Information

Emirates NBD

Emirates NBD, the leading banking group in the region, was formed on 19 June 1963, when H.H. Late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum signed the Charter of Incorporation of the National Bank of Dubai (NBD) which became the first National Bank established in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With the blessings of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, NBD merged with Emirates Bank International (EBI) on 06 March 2007, to form Emirates NBD, the largest banking group in the region by assets. On 16 October 2007, the shares of Emirates NBD were officially listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM). The merger between EBI and NBD to create Emirates NBD, became a regional consolidation blueprint for the banking and finance sector as it combined the second and fourth largest banks in the UAE to form a banking champion capable of delivering enhanced value across corporate, retail, private, Islamic and investment banking throughout the region.