NAS Sports Tournament gets DDF boost

Dubai Duty Free (DDF), one of the biggest travel retail operators in the world, have reconfirmed their support for Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament by signing a deal with Dubai Sports Council (DSC) to become the event’s platinum sponsors.

The sponsorship deal was officially signed by Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of DSC, and Salah Tahlak, Executive Vice President of Corporate Services at Dubai Duty Free, in the presence of Nasser Aman Al Rahma, Assistant Secretary General of DSC, Saleh Al Marzouqi, Director of DSC’s Sports Development section, and Sara Al Sayegh, Director of Communication and Marketing department at DSC.

“Dubai Duty Free is one of the most recognisable brands in the world today, especially in the leisure and sports sector with their support and sponsorship of major sporting events,” said Hareb.

“We are really pleased to have them onboard once again for the seventh edition of NAS Sports Tournament, which is unique sports events, attracting thousands of people of different nationalities, age, gender and abilities.

“The NAS Sports Tournament, with participants from every segment of our diverse community, is a true reflection of Dubai, which is a melting pot of different cultures with people from more than 200 countries calling it home. Dubai Duty Free shares the same ideals of inclusivity and tolerance, and we are really looking forward to another successful season of the tournament with the support of all our partners, especially DDF.”

“We are pleased to extend our support once again to the NAS Sports Tournament, which is held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai,” said Tahlak.

“The NAS Sports Tournament is the largest of its kind, held during the Holy Month of Ramadan and it has grown bigger each year in terms of participation.

“The Dubai Duty Free fully supports this initiative as it empowers the welfare of various communities and we are delighted that our own staff — UAE nationals and expats — are joining in the wide variety of games listed this year.”

Organised by DSC under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan, the NAS Sports Tournament is the biggest event of its kind in terms of participation and prize money, and has been held every year in the Holy Month of Ramadan since 2013.

One of the most anticipated events on the country’s sporting calendar, the Tournament has seen more than 22,000 athletes take part over the past six seasons, including amateurs and international legends like Zinedine Zidane and Falcao, and even Ambassadors and Consul Generals of different countries.

The seventh season of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament, being held under the slogan ‘Unlimited Capabilities’, will start on May 7 with a glittering opening ceremony at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex and curtains will come down on the tournament on May 24.

The 13 events for this season are — Futsal, Volleyball, Padel, Fencing, Wheelchair Basketball, Futsal for People with Hearing Disabilities, NAS Night Challenge, the 5km and 10km Run, 75km Cycle Race, 3x3 Basketball, Jiu-Jitsu, Cricket and Snowboarding.