Emirates NBD official banking partner of Omega Dubai Ladies Masters for seventh successive year

Press release

Published November 29th, 2012 - 09:20 GMT

Al Bawaba

Emirates NBD, a leading bank in the region, announced today that it would serve as the official banking partner for the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, for the seventh successive year. The bank will also organise a series of activities to highlight its participation at the event which will be held at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai from December 2 – 8, 2012.

This sponsorship is in line with the bank’s long-term strategic partnership with 'golf in DUBAi,' the organisation that organises events to promote Dubai as a world-class golfing destination.

“Partnering with Omega Dubai Ladies Masters offers an annual opportunity to showcase our Passion for Golf at Emirates NBD, and reiterate our commitment to encouraging sporting activities in the UAE,” said Rick Pudner, Group CEO, Emirates NBD. “This high profile sports event also serves as an excellent platform year on year, to highlight social causes and health concerns that affect our region.”

Emirates NBD also plans to host Melissa Reid, the rising British golfing star and brand ambassador of the tournament, who will be playing in the Emirates NBD Pro Am team.

“The UAE has a growing population of golf enthusiasts particularly among the youth, thanks to Emirates NBD, which is making a considerable effort to promote the game,” said Melissa Reid. “The Omega Dubai Ladies Masters has established itself as one of the leading events in Dubai’s golfing calendar, and I look forward to being part of the event again.”

Emirates NBD will also host the children who participated in the Emerging World Youth Golf programme earlier this year, at the bank’s VIP Chalet, along with their families. This is a continuation of the bank’s role in sponsoring the Emerging World Youth Golf Tour, which saw 18 young golfers aged 11-18, benefit from expert coaching, and learning more about the origins and traditions of the game in St Andrews, Scotland, the historical home of the game.

In line with Emirates NBD’s ‘Passion for Golf’ initiative, this year, the bank will be active in the online and social media space, to promote the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters. Visitors to Emirates NBD’s dedicated golf-focused microsite http://www.emiratesnbdgolf.ae/ can avail several opportunities to get VIP tickets and golfing goodies, during the tournament, in addition to the chance to attend free golfing lessons. Daily tweets via the twitter handle @EmiratesNBDgolf and uploads on the facebook page: emirates nbd golf are also expected to keep golfing enthusiasts updated on all news related to the tournament.

Background Information

Emirates NBD

Emirates NBD, the leading banking group in the region, was formed on 19 June 1963, when H.H. Late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum signed the Charter of Incorporation of the National Bank of Dubai (NBD) which became the first National Bank established in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With the blessings of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, NBD merged with Emirates Bank International (EBI) on 06 March 2007, to form Emirates NBD, the largest banking group in the region by assets. On 16 October 2007, the shares of Emirates NBD were officially listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM). The merger between EBI and NBD to create Emirates NBD, became a regional consolidation blueprint for the banking and finance sector as it combined the second and fourth largest banks in the UAE to form a banking champion capable of delivering enhanced value across corporate, retail, private, Islamic and investment banking throughout the region.