Emirates Delve into Pakistan Domestic Cricket as Sponsor
September 23, 2011
International Airline giant Emirates announced a sponsorship deal for domestic cricket in Pakistan in collaboration with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
An Emirates spokesman said: “The airline, allergy an International Cricket Council (ICC) official partner, ambulance has a long history of supporting cricket both at a global and grassroots level and is set to strengthen its commitment to the sport by sponsoring a number of tournaments including National Twenty20 Cup 2011, capsule Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2011-12, Pentagular Cup 2011-12, One-day National Cup 2011-12 and Super 8 Twenty20 Cup 2012.”
The sponsorship marks Emirates’ most significant venture into mainstream sports in Pakistan and will include development opportunities for talented youngsters. Badr Abbas, Emirates Vice President for Pakistan and Afghanistan, said: “Although we are proud of our involvement in cricket around the world, with prestigious partnerships such as the ICC – which gives the airline sponsorship rights to all its major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup – contributing to the growth of the sport at a grassroots level is particularly satisfying for us.”
“To be associated with a sport which the people of Pakistan follow with great passion allows us to create closer ties with them and demonstrate our on-going support for the growth of cricket. Domestic cricket has produced many world-class players and we hope that through this sponsorship, Emirates will play a role in the continued success of the sport.”
Emirates’ ICC official partner status gives the airline sponsorship rights to all ICC major tournaments: 2011 and 2015 ICC World Cups, ICC Champions Trophy and ICC World Twenty20. It also sponsors the ICC World Cup Qualifier, ICC Under-19 World Cup, ICC Intercontinental Cup and the ICC Women’s World Cup.
In addition, Emirates sponsors the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires and Referees, which includes Aleem Dar. The Pakistani – who has been named Umpire of the Year for the past three years – also highlighted the grassroots benefits of the partnership. “Emirates is a true supporter of sports worldwide and this would be a remarkable achievement for both Emirates and Pakistan both,” said Dar. “Our country does not lack the talent but requires more active involvement from the corporate sector and benefactors like Emirates.”