(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Qatar National Bank (QNB) has signed an agreement with the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) to become the official sponsor of His Highness The Amir's Sword Racing Festival, which will be held at Al Rayyan Park next weekend.
The three days of the racing extravaganza, which will be held from February 20-22, will witness participation of some top trainers with their top quality international and domestic horses.
The agreement was announced at a press conference yesterday at the club in the presence of QREC CEO Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi and QNB's General Manager Group Communications Yousef Ali Darwish.
This is the first time that QNB will be the official sponsor of Qatar's flagship racing festival. The preparations for the event are in full swing, amid anticipation and widespread interest.
'His Highness The Amir's Sword Festival is the most prominent event in the club's calendar every season. We are working towards putting the event on the map of global races, and this agreement with the Qatar National Bank will help us in the same. This agreement confirms QNB's keenness in focusing on traditional sports and helping in preserving the stature of the sport in future. The association of the bank's name with the festival will bring many benefits to all parties, and we thank QNB officials for their co-operation, al-Kaabi said.
Al-Kaabi added: 'We expect more co-operation between the club and the bank in the future. This year's His Highness The Amir's Sword Festival will be packed with a lot of excitement and strong races, and this is clear from the initial interest of owners from outside Qatar to run this race, adding to the international character of the event. We wish all the owners and trainers success at this festival.
QNB's Darwish said: 'Qatar National Bank is first in supporting sport in Qatar and we are honoured to be the official sponsor of His Highness The Amir's Sword Festival. God willing, the co-operation between Qatar National Bank and the QREC will boost the profile of the festival internationally, and grow from year to year. Qatar National Bank is one of the biggest brands in the Middle East and Africa, and one of the most famous in the world. We look forward to the best in the future, and we are keen to be part of this important event.
Talking about the contract period, al-Kaabi said the agreement is for five years, but it is renewed annually with the agreement of the two parties.
His Highness The Amir's Sword Festival will take place over three days on the turf track at Al Rayyan Park.
The final day of the festival will see some of the biggest races, including the Al Biddah Mile (QA Group 2), Dukhan Sprint (QA Group 3), Qatar International Cup (Group 1) for Purebred Arabians, and the two USD 1 million features — His Highness The Amir's Trophy (QA Group 1) for Thoroughbreds and His Highness The Amir's Sword (Group 1) for Purebred Arabians.
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