Friday, Oct 31, 2008
Gulf News
Dubai: Emirates said yesterday that is has become the official airline of the HSBC Champions 2008 - the first tournament in the 'Race To Dubai'.
The HSBC Champions, to be held at the Shanghai Sheshan Golf Club in the Chinese city from November 6 to 9, has attracted a strong line-up of golfers, and is the start of a busy year of golf sponsorships for Emirates.
Among the challengers for this year's HSBC Champions will be title defender Phil Mickelson, 2008 PGA Championship and Open Championship winner Padraig Harrington, 2008 Masters champions Trevor Immelman, and two of golf's brightest young stars in Camilo Villegas and Ryder Cup winner Anthony Kim.
In addition to its partnership with the HSBC Champions, Emirates is official airline to a further 10 tournaments during the 2009 season, including the Hong Kong Open, the Australian PGA Championship, Dubai Desert Classic, Malaysian Open, Africa Open, Austrian Open, BMW International Open, Volvo Asian Masters, Hero Honda Indian Open and the Dubai Ladies Masters.
Richard Vaughan, Emirates' senior vice-president for commercial operations in East Asia and Australasia, said: "Emirates is very excited to be part of the HSBC Champions 2008, which has attracted seven of the world's top eight golfers. From the point of view that our airline is based in Dubai, it is fitting to be associated with the opening event of the Race To Dubai."
Giles Morgan, HSBC's group head of sponsorship, added: "Emirates' support of the HSBC Champions is further proof that the world's local bank is achieving its aim of bringing world-class golf to Asia. One glance at their sponsorship portfolio - whether it's their official partner status with the Fifa World Cup or the cricket and rugby world cups, or their sponsorship of football teams like Arsenal, AC Milan and Paris St Germain - shows that they only associate themselves with the best sports properties in the world."
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