Dubai Duty Free named Principal Partner of UAE Rugby Federation
From left to right (back): Salah Tahlak - Joint Chief Operating Officer, Dubai Duty Free; Ramesh Cidambi - Chief Operating Officer, Dubai Duty Free; Colm McLoughlin - Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Dubai Duty Free; Mohamed Al Zaabi - General Secretary UAE Rugby Federation; Saud Al Nuaimi - Head of the Marketing and Investment Committee, UAE Rugby Federation; and Qais Al Dhalai - Vice President, UAE Rugby Federation and President, Asia Rugby
Dubai Duty Free has been named Principal Partner of the UAE Rugby Federation (UAERF), and Partner of the UAE National Teams (men’s, women’s, U20 boys, U20 girls), and all-Emirati Shaheen and Al Maha teams. The partnership is for a renewable two-year term.
Colm Mcloughlin, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Dubai Duty Free, said, "We are delighted to be on board as the Principal Partner of the UAERF and Partner of the UAE National, Shaheen, and Al Maha teams and committed to working in developing the game both for the resident expatriate and the Emirati talent to play the sport and provide a platform for development. Dubai Duty Free has been supporting a number of local and international sporting events. Rugby is one such event we enjoy that has a huge following in the UAE and we are excited to see the lasting impact this partnership will have to the wider rugby community.”
Mohamed Alzaabi, General Secretary UAE Rugby, said, “Our National teams continue to perform extremely well on the regional and international stage which is evident through our men’s XV securing first place at the recent Asia Rugby Division One Championship (played in Pakistan). Last season was immense seeing our 7’s team securing the gold medal at the Asian Rugby 7’s championship in Thailand, as well as ranking 2nd at the most contested Asia Rugby 7’s Series, while our XV’s and 7’s men’s continue a busy calendar for the coming months, our U18 National teams secured two gold medals in 2022 in Nepal and Uzbekistan. Our women’s, age-groups and all-Emirati teams (of Shaheen and Al Maha) are looking ahead to the start of the season and participation in various 7s events – including the pinnacle event on our calendar; the Dubai Rugby 7’s. We are pleased to see the Dubai Duty Free logo featuring on our players’ jerseys as we continue our journey.”
Saud Al Nuaimi, Board Member and Chair of Marketing and Investment Committee, added, “As we started this relationship 12 years ago, reactivating the UAERF and DDF partnership post COVID-19 has always been a top priority owing to the solid relationship between both parties. Over the years, this partnership has witnessed DDF’s support to the UAERF referees, community activities amongst Emiratis, and now the full Emirati female rugby squads of Al Maha team and its counterpart the male Shaheen team together with the UAE National teams 7s and 15s sides in both genders. We continue to embrace innovative commercial streams by engaging with impactful portfolio of partners including Dubai Duty Free, HSBC, ReedSmith, Gymnation, Adam Vital Hospital, WINTEX and Happiness Clinic. Our appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum - the Chairman of Dubai Duty Free, and the entire management team for believing in the UAE Rugby Federation.”
