Dubai, October 24 2007 - The Dubai Football Challenge today announced that Emirates Airline will be the official tournament sponsor. The Dubai Football Challenge 2008, the annual global football tournament held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, in conjunction with the Government of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and IEP Sports and Leisure (the World Series) is proud to announce Emirates Airline as the official tournament sponsor.

The event, to be held at the Al Maktoum Stadium, Al Nasr Club between 10th and 12th January 2008, forms part of IEP's legendary World Series. This year the tournament will host German stars Hamburg SV (current holders of the Dubai Football Challenge trophy) and China's National team alongside the UAE. The fourth team heading up the all star line up will be leading South American team Vasco da Gama from Brazil.

Stuart Webb, Chairman of the World Series, says, "On the back of last year's successful tournament, the World Series is once again proud to be a partner of the 2008 Dubai Football Challenge and is delighted that Emirates Airline joins the tournament as official sponsor.  Football continues to unite people across the globe and the Dubai Football Challenge 2008 will once again bring together a galaxy of teams from different countries for a festival of football that will be seen by a packed stadium and by millions of TV viewers around the world. All the participating teams, Hamburg SV, Chinese National team, Vasco da Gama and the UAE's national team have a rich heritage and tradition and their participation ensures an exciting and thrilling tournament ahead."

The Government of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, one of the hosts of the Dubai Football Challenge will continue to play a key role in ensuring that the logistics and on-the ground organisation in Dubai including the teams' training camps run smoothly.  Hamad Mohammed bin Mejren, Director Inward Missions states, "Dubai is no stranger to hosting large events and the Dubai Football Challenge 2008 will once again reinforce Dubai's role in the development of international sports events in the world today.  Following the success of last year's event we are delighted to be on board as one of the key partners for the event in 2008."

Mejren added: "We are delighted that this year's event will host the Chinese National Team. As we aim to promote tourism between our two countries, I hope that the event, as it did last year, continues to acknowledge Dubai as a year-round tourist and leisure destination." 

Ghaith Al Ghaith, Executive Vice President, Commercial Operations Worldwide, Emirates Airline, adds, "Emirates is delighted to announce its sponsorship of the Dubai Football Challenge 2008, which is another leading international sports event to be hosted by our great city. This major annual football tournament in Dubai is a welcome addition to Emirates' sporting calendar. As football continues to dominate global interest, tournaments such as the Dubai Football Challenge 2008, continue to promote Dubai as one of the world's leading hosts of international sporting events."

Huub Stevens, Coach, Hamburg Team said "The Dubai Football Challenge 2008 is a very important tournament for us. It is a good training ground for us - just a few weeks later the second period of the season starts in Germany. We are set to play against strong teams and our aim is to play good, entertaining games in Dubai. On top of this, Hamburg  SV won the Dubai Football Challenge that took place last year in Dubai. It would be great for the team's confidence to win this year's tournament again."

Further details of the Tournament, including the match draw and ticket information are due to be announced at the end of November.

The Dubai Football Challenge is set to become a regular annual fixture in the Dubai sporting calendar and will ultimately be hosted at Dubai Sports City's 60,000 seat stadium.

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About Department of Tourism and Commerce
The Government of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing is the principal authority for planning and supervising the development of tourism in Dubai. It undertakes international promotional and marketing campaigns to highlight Dubai's strengths and opportunities. It is continuously participating in international promotion and publicity activities, including exhibitions, inward and outward missions, marketing visits, presentations and road shows, whilst at the same time producing media relations and handling all manner of inquiries.

About IEP Sports & Leisure:
IEP Sports & Leisure is one of the world's leading independent sports event management businesses, founded in 1988.

Since then it has organized 22 international football tournaments in which 41 of the world's premier club sides from 15 countries have competed.

IEP Sports & Leisure has created an exceptional series of structured tournaments played around the world and titled football's World Series.

The World Series concept is to bring competitive and international events to a number of key cities in China, South Africa, the Middle East and the USA.

About Emirates
Emirates, the Dubai-based global airline, currently flies to 94 destinations in 60 countries, and with the launch of flights to Brazil, Emirates now flies non-stop to six continents from Dubai. In 2007 Emirates launched services Newcastle, Venice and Sao Paulo, the award winning airline will shortly be starting services to Toronto, Ahmedabad and Houston.

Emirates has an impressive sports sponsorship portfolio, which in addition to football, includes rugby, cricket, horse racing, golf and tennis.

For further information please call Liz Fox, at FD, on 00 971 50 551 5971 or email liz.fox@fd.com.

© Press Release 2007