DUBAI (WAM)
Emirates has announced its continued commitment to the growth of rugby, expanding its reach into new markets by serving as the Title Sponsor of Asia Rugby.
The new multi-year partnership allows the airline to support Asia Rugby in organising and investing in both 7s and 15s series tournaments, as well as the Asia Rugby Championships, with participation spanning 36 countries across Asia.
Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, said, "Emirates has a long history of supporting rugby, dating back to our early days as an airline. Since then, we’ve deepened our involvement across every level of the sport, from supporting global organisations and tournaments like World Rugby and five consecutive Rugby World Cups, and the global 7s series, to headlining the Emirates Dubai 7s and growing the footprint of the UAE Rugby Federation. We’re particularly proud to extend our support to Asia Rugby to take the sport into new markets and boost its appeal, as well as create opportunities for young athletes to develop their skills and realise their potential. And this is just the beginning. We will continue to harness the power of grassroots sporting activities that forge strong bonds with the communities we serve, to meaningfully contribute to their growth and resilience.”
Qais Al-Dhalai, President of Asia Rugby, stated, “I am delighted to welcome Emirates as the Title Sponsor of Asia Rugby. This partnership marks a significant milestone in our mission to expand the reach and impact of rugby across our 36 members. With Emirates' support, we are poised to bring the excitement and values of rugby to a new generation of athletes and fans. Our growing reputation for reliability and professionalism has earned Emirates' confidence in associating their brand with ours. With the UAE serving as the headquarters of Asia Rugby, this partnership with Emirates feels like a perfect synergy. The UAE has become a centre for rugby activities, providing a strategic base to coordinate and grow the sport across the continent. Emirates is synonymous with premier rugby events globally, and this collaboration will elevate the sport’s profile across Asia.”
He continued, “In the last five years, we have established Asia Rugby as a brand with more tournaments and expanded the reach of our social media, with all our events live-streamed to bring rugby to Asia. Our shared goal is to empower athletes, build a strong talent pipeline, and cultivate a passionate fanbase that will sustain the sport for years to come.”
As part of the agreement, Emirates will serve as the title sponsor for Asia Rugby competitions and tournaments, including the Asia Rugby Men’s and Women’s Championships, the Asia Rugby Sevens Series, and age-grade competitions covering various age groups. These tournaments provide a pathway to premier regional and global competitions such as the Rugby World Cup, Rugby World Cup Sevens, the Olympic Games, Asian Games, the HSBC SVNS Series, and the World Rugby Sevens Challenger.
The airline’s iconic ‘Fly Better’ branding will feature on match official jerseys, match balls, support staff bibs, post pads, and stadium branding, among other benefits across 21 tournaments over the next three years.
The first of these tournaments where Emirates will have a strong presence is the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series Men’s and Women’s Round 2, which begins on 21st September 2024 in Hangzhou, China. The tournament will feature the top eight men’s and women’s teams competing for ranking spots ahead of the final round, to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, in November.