Emirates returns to the greens

The tournament promises to be a gathering of champions with confirmation that 26 Asian Tour winners will assemble at the venerable Delhi Golf Club. The Hero Honda Indian Open 2007 is the 22nd leg of this season's Asian Tour which is offering the region's talented players an all time high of 28 tournaments.

The tournament, from 11th to 14th October, will be played over 72 holes (four rounds) stroke play. Last year's Asian Tour UBS Order of Merit champion, Jeev Milkha Singh of India will spearhead the local charge alongside compatriot and title holder Jyoti Randhawa.

Emirates-sponsored players including Ross Bain, who finished second behind Thongchai Jaidee in the Wills Indian Open, Yasin Ali who enjoyed a strong rookie season in 2006, notching three top-10s at the Pulai Springs Malaysian Masters and Taiwan Open, as well as Simon Dunn will mount a challenge against several former Indian Open champions such as Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant, American veteran Mike Cunning and Singaporean Mardan Mamat.

Emirates has lined up a range of activities designed to engage tournament attendees, golfing enthusiasts, corporate guests, and the travel trade. Emirates' VIP guests will have an exclusive opportunity to pair with golf professionals in the Pro-Am Tournament today. In the Nearest-to-Pin contest, players will pit their skills to win an Emirates' Business Class return ticket to the golfing capital of the Middle East - Dubai.

An Emirates Golf Clinic, featuring golfing lessons from professionals for the next generation of golfers, will be organised during the championship. Tournament spectators spotted wearing an Emirates cap will be eligible to enter a raffle to win 200,000 Skywards Miles and three nights accommodation at the Emirates Marina Hotel and Residence. Skywards is the award-winning frequent flyer programme of Emirates and Sri Lankan Airline and the Miles won can be redeemed for two Emirates' Business Class return tickets from Delhi to Dubai.

Orhan Abbas, Emirates' Vice President India and Nepal said: 'Golf sponsorships offer Emirates the opportunity to build brand awareness and receive international exposure. Golf is fast becoming a lifestyle preference for many of our passengers and our sponsorship of international golf events allows us to share and support their interest in the game.'

Since 1987, Emirates has established a strong link with sports programmes and is an avid supporter of amateur and professional golf tournaments. The airline is the Official Carrier for the annual Dubai Desert Classic since 1989, the BMW Asian Open since 2004, the BMW International Open since 2003, the Hong Kong Open, the Volvo Asian Masters in Thailand, the Dubai Ladies Masters, and several other golfing events.