The Western Region Development Council (WRDC) – the central co-coordinating body leading development and promoting opportunity in Al Gharbia, the Western Region of Abu Dhabi – today officially announced the sponsorship of Al Dhafra Football Club, headquartered in Madinat Zayed, Al Gharbia. WRDC is sponsoring the Club on behalf of Al Gharbia, aiming to promote sport among the youth in the region.
Developing and enhancing sporting activities for the youth of Al Gharbia, the sponsorship agreement also covers activities for the 8 Al Dhafra junior teams at the Madinat Zayed Football School and the Mirfa branch.
Present at the signing, H.E Sheikh Saif Bin Mohammed Bin Butti Al Hamid, Chairman of Al Dhafra Football club said, “Al Gharbia’s youth are our region’s future generation and we, alongside WRDC want to provide them with the best opportunities. By providing them with access to enhanced sporting facilities and activities we hope that we can help them realize their dreams and ambitions.”
Commenting on the sponsorship agreement, H.E. Mohamed Hamad Bin Azzan Al Mazrouei, Director General of WRDC, said: “It is a privilege for the Western Region Development Council to be sponsoring the Al Dhafra Football Club on behalf of Al Gharbia. As a community based council our main aim through this sponsorship is to promote sport among the youth in Al Gharbia, whilst emphasizing on the health benefits. The sponsorship deal also provides us with a great opportunity to pursue our main goal to develop and enhance the local community and residents of our region and in parallel helps us to raise awareness of Al Gharbia regionally.”
Part of the agreement includes branding the new stadium based in Madinat Zayed, which will be named as ‘Al Gharbia Stadium’. The official unveiling of the stadium, which also has a restaurant and health club will happen soon.
He further added: “We will also develop and promote activities ongoing to make the best use of the stadium for our residents. At WRDC we initiate ideas and activities that develop and promote Al Gharbia’s local community, our number one priority, and our achievements are aimed towards a better future for them.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Saleh Jezlan Al Mazrouei, Board Member of Al Dhafra Football Club, said “We are extremely proud to have our region’s name and brand on the team’s T-shirts. This is one of the most unique and innovative ways to gain maximum exposure for the region. We will be working closely with WRDC as we look to progress and achieve our ambitions together. It was important for us to find a sponsor who is very much involved in the local community and we appreciate WRDC’s backing at this crucial stage. We are thankful to WRDC and confident that this support will go a long way in further catapulting Al Dhafra as one of the top teams in the UAE Premiership League.”
The sponsorship comes into effect immediately and the new Al Gharbia branded T-shirts were also unveiled at the signing ceremony. The announcement comes right in time for the club as the Al Dhafra team is ready to take on their rivals Al Khaleej in the opening match of the United Football League scheduled on the 19th Sept.
The signing of the sponsorship agreement for the coming season 2008-09 was attended by H.E Sheikh Saif Bin Mohammed Bin Butti Al Hamid, Chairman of Al Dhafra Football club, H.E. Mohamed Hamad Bin Azzan Al Mazrouei, Director General of WRDC, government officials, other representatives from WRDC and Al Dhafra Football Club Board Members and some of the team players.
The Al Dhafra football club was established in 2000 and is among one of the most prominent football clubs in the UAE Premiership League. The Club has over 600 members; 300 in Madinat Zayed and 300 in Mirfa. The Club’s professionalism and tradition have greatly contributed to the sporting achievements obtained through the years
WRDC is working towards helping the local community of Al Gharbia evolve and build their region. It constantly seeks opportunities to engage and inform the community on all the latest developments within the region. WRDC’s development plan includes involving and informing the local community in the development of the region and developing the capability of the public to play an effective role in the development process.