Dubal enters 18th year of Golf sponsorship in Dubai

This marks the 18th consecutive year that Dubal has been the main sponsor of the PGA European Tour-sanctioned event, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2009.

"As the largest modern aluminium smelter in the world and Dubai's industrial flagship, Dubal is a significant contributor to the local economy, both directly and indirectly. We consider it our duty, and privilege, to be a good corporate citizen by actively supporting community-based initiatives, especially those that promote Dubai. By sponsoring events such as the Dubai Desert Classic, our company effectively invests in the socio-economic development of the Emirate by helping to showcase Dubai's superb tourism and business infrastructure to international audiences while demonstrating our city's innovative and cosmopolitan flair. As a company, DUBAL also gives generously of the company's time, financial resources and expertise to support a broad range of community-orientated events and activities, especially in the sporting and educational arenas,"

says Mohammed Yahya, Manager, Corporate Relations & International Affairs.

He adds that Dubal leverages the partnership building opportunities offered by the Dubai Desert Classic by inviting its customers and business associates from across the world to attend the event. "The tournament has provided a forum for consolidating our business relationships at all levels, in an environment that is both aspirational and exciting," explains Yahya

Another example is the Dubai Ladies Masters; where Dubal has been the main sponsor since the event's inception in 2006. The 2008 Dubai Ladies Masters, the third of its kind, took place from 11 to 14 December this year.

Yahya advises that Dubal has invested over Dhs212m directly in the Dubai Desert Classic to date. "We are confident that this investment has not only contributed substantially to the evolution of the tournament into an internationally recognized, well-organized and extremely successful event that attracts the participation of the world's golfing champions, but has also helped promote Dubai to the rest of the world. It has also served to promote Dubal as a world-class industrial enterprise, locally and internationally, by providing a platform for demonstrating our company's genuine interest in our customers from across the globe. Scheduled business meetings coincident with the tournament allow us to build on our existing long-term relationships and consolidate our business plans."

As the main sponsor of the Dubai Desert Classic, Dubal will also be an active participant in the Pro-Am Tournament immediately preceding the event. Some 30 Dubal guests are expected play in the Pro-Am with the world's leading players, including South Africa's Ernie Els.