QNB becomes title sponsor of HH The Amir Sword Festival

QREC Chairman HE Issa Bin Mohamed al-Mohannadi (second right) and Assistant General Manager of QNB Public Relations Salem al-Naimi at the sponsorship agreement ceremony for the HH The Amir Sword Festival on Monday.

In a move that has become a familiar association with the HH The Amir Sword Festival, the partnership between the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) and QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, has been renewed. In addition to their role as title sponsors of the HH The Amir Sword Festival for a third consecutive year, QNB will also sponsor the HH The Amir Silver Sword race, which will be part of the most coveted horseracing festival in Qatar and the region. Purebred Arabian stars will take on each other with the Silver Sword as their target. Commenting on the fruitful partnership renewal, HE Issa bin Mohamed al-Mohannadi, Chairman, QREC, said, “The existing cooperation between QREC and QNB Group is a true embodiment of the partnership, which contributes to the success of this type of major events held in Qatar. We have been cooperating with QNB for years and our relations have been extended beyond sponsoring the Festival. “We are, therefore, pleased to continue this collaboration and benefit from the mutual commitment of the two organisations to maximise the success and standing of the His Highness The Amir Festival worldwide, especially with international runners and connections heading to Doha targeting the titles of the iconic event. In addition, this year’s edition comes in different circumstances from those which the world experienced last year. Our experiences demonstrate that we have overcome all previous challenges and adverse effects. “I would like to thank QNB Group for their continued support of QREC and the Festival, and their keenness to be the Title Sponsor for the third year in a row and also to sponsor the His Highness The Amir Silver Sword. Their attitude is highly regarded and it reflects the pioneering role of QNB Group in supporting our long-established sport,” added al-Mohannadi. Salem al-Naimi, Assistant General Manager, QNB Public Relations, said, “QNB Group has established a special long-standing partnership with QREC. Over the years, we have supported QREC’s events, topped by the His Highness The Amir Sword Festival, which QNB is keen to sponsor as a title sponsor every year. “At QNB, we regularly provide our sponsorship and support to various sports events, especially the ones which have a cultural nature and celebrate our authentic Qatari heritage and traditions. As we all know, 2022 is a special year from the sporting point of view, particularly as we are about to host a global sports event, which will focus the world’s attention on our sports achievements and culture in all sports disciplines. I wish success to all who will take part in the His Highness The Amir Sword Festival, which we all we are honoured to be part of,” added al-Nuaimi. Addressing the media at the agreement signing yesteday, al-Mohannadi stressed on Qatar’s recent extension of association with Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Paris and Goodwood in UK. “One of our strategies have been to the ambassador for the brand of the country itself that’s why we have agreement for sponsorship of major races such as the Qatar de l’Arc de Triomphe and Goodwood in UK. “The l’Arc is one of biggest races in the world and our partnership has been renewed for another five years a few weeks ago of which we are proud of. This partnership will continue with l’Arc for years to come,” he said. On the forthcoming HH The Amir Sword Festival (February 17-19), al-Mohannadi said this year’s event will be larger in size and more grand with international participation and activities. “We are happy that we are bouncing back after the COVID-19 pandemic which restricted participation. But this year we have 15 international horses participating at this year’s HH Amir Sword Festival. We have European countries and GCC nations’ participation in the races. “The event itself will be different in terms of quality and size. We welcome back activities that we use to have earlier. We have some special shows and traditional horse-racing shows. Also, we have chosen some of the local designers as part of the festival,” he informed.