Etihad Airways will once again bring a flavour of the UAE’s capital city to London-based Harlequins rugby football club when the airline hosts the second “Abu Dhabi day” at the Twickenham Stoop stadium on Saturday 25 April.
Etihad, the main sponsor of Guinness Premiership side Harlequins, will host Abu Dhabi Day alongside Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri and Abu Dhabi Motorsport Management.
They will bring an array of Arabian cultural and entertainment to the packed capacity crowd for Quins’ last home match of the season against Newcastle Falcons.
A traditional Arabic welcome, including coffee and dates, will be offered to all the hospitality guests upon arrival followed by an Arabian-themed menu for lunch. The crowd will also be entertained with a live falconry display at half-time.
One lucky youngster from Abu Dhabi has been selected to be the Abu Dhabi Day match day mascot courtesy of Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri and Etihad Airways.
Nine years old, Khalfan Hasan Mohamad Hasan Alsuwaidi will fly to London for the match and will take the match ball on the pitch at the beginning of the game.
Khalfan took part in the Etihad Harlequins Rugby Schools in November 2008 in Abu Dhabi which was lead by Dean Richards, David Strettle, Will Skinner and four top coaches from Harlequins.
The Etihad Harlequins Rugby Schools was part of the Etihad Airways Junior Rugby Festival, which included the Middle East’s largest junior rugby tournament with over 1,600 participants.
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ chief commercial officer, said: “Etihad Airways and Harlequins have enjoyed another successful season together and we are thrilled to be hosting Abu Dhabi day at the Twickenham Stoop for the final home match of the rugby season.”
“The day will be extremely exciting for fans who will have the chance to sample Arabian cuisine and culture as well as supporting the Quins in their quest to secure their play-off position.”
Etihad will also host a number of competitions for spectators attending the Abu Dhabi day match with prizes including a week’s holiday in the UAE’s capital city flying with Etihad Airways and staying at the new Shangri-la Hotel Qaryat Al Beri.
In addition to the Quins against Newcastle match, Abu Dhabi Day will also see the final of the Etihad Airways Curtain Raiser Cup competition for youth players from across southern England.
Etihad, the official airline of London-based Chelsea Football Club, will also host a special “Abu Dhabi Day” at the English premier league side’s final home match of the English Premier League season against Blackburn Rovers on Sunday 17 May.
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