Doha: Qatar National Bank (QNB), the country's top financial institution, and the Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF) today signed an agreement which confirms QNB as the Golden Sponsor for the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) men's and women's tours in Doha.
Sheikh Mohamed Bin Faleh Al Thani, Chairman of QTF and Mr. Mohamed Marzouk Al Shamlan, QNB Board Member signed the sponsorship agreement at a special ceremony held at QNB's Headquarters in Doha.
"Our sponsorship of the Tennis Tour marks the 13th year in a row in which QNB has been a sponsor. This demonstrates our continuous support to these two championships which have earned their place on the world tennis stage. The tours have helped to put Qatar on the world's sports map especially in the last three years," Mr. Al Shamlan said.
"It is a great honour for QNB to be associated with this tremendous success. Therefore, I know you will understand both my personal delight and pride as I confirm QNB's sponsorship of US$ 300,000 for both the Qatar ExxonMobil Open and the Qatar Total Open. This is equivalent to more than QR 1,090,000. Our support will be evident for both the men's and the women's competitions respectively," Mr. Al Shamlan added.
"On Tuesday this week we also signed an agreement to sponsor Qatar's Football League and today we sign the Tennis Tour. It is something we meant to do because: football is a team game where every member plays; putting in their hearts, minds and spirits to win. And while tennis is an individual game, it is also one where the player puts his/her heart and mind to give of their best in order to win. Both sports represent the values of leadership and determination, values to which QNB aspires to in our own quest to serve our customers better with award-winning financial products.
In his comments, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Faleh Al Thani said: "We are honoured that QNB is supporting our organisation of this closely followed tournament across the globe. This is indeed excellent for raising the profile of Qatar internationally."
Sheikh Mohamed Bin Faleh thanked QNB on its generous contribution supporting the Qatar Exxon Mobil Open, which will be held from 2 January until the 7th of January 2006, and the Qatar Total Open to be held from 27 February until 4 March 2006, at the Khalifa International Tennis Courts in Doha.
"This contribution is a familiar act by QNB, a world class bank that supports our federation activities in general and these two championships in particular," added Sheikh Mohamed.
"I wish our country continues its great progress under the leadership of His Highness the Emir and His Highness the Heir Apparent," Sheikh Mohamed concluded.
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About QNB
QNB was established in 1964 as the country's first Qatari-owned commercial bank. The ownership structure is split between the Government of Qatar (50%) and the private sector (50%). QNB has grown to become the largest bank in Qatar controlling assets representing approximately 50% of the total banking system. QNB has the largest distribution network in the country with 34 local branches and offices' two international branches in London and Paris and 73 ATM's. QNB provides a full range of commercial banking activities for individuals' corporate institutions and government entities and the Bank's scope of products' services and delivery channels across all disciplines is unrivalled.
QNB has the highest credit rating among Qatari banks from leading rating agencies including Moody's' Fitch and Capital Intelligence. QNB is among the top 10 regional banks by Shareholders' Equity' with a ranking of 7th among the largest GCC banks as per MEES survey in September 2004. Internationally' it is ranked as 77th among the Top 250 Emerging Market Banks as per Euromoney survey in August 2004. Additionally' QNB has been the recipient of the award "Best Bank in Qatar" from leading international financial publications including: The Banker' Euromoney and Global Finance. On 3rd June 2005' QNB received 'The Best Debt House' award from Euromoney magazine.
For more information please contact:
Ali Saado Abdul Ghani
Manager, Public Relations
Corporate Communication
Office: (+974) 4407470
Mobile: (+974) 5505729
Email: ali.ghani@qnb.com.qa
© Press Release 2006
