Citibank launches 'The Citibank FIFA World Cup Card'

Citibank is also offering tickets to major games, with return airfare and hotel accommodation, in Japan to 12 lucky winners of the bank's raffle draw.

The 2002 FIFA World Cup will be played in 10 cities across Japan and Korea between 29 May and 30 June. Winners of the Citibank raffle draw will win tickets for the final match, semi-finals and quarter-finals.

Speaking at the card launch today, Colonel Ali Bujsaim, UAE's leading referee and one of the chosen names forming part of the elite panel to officiate at the World Cup matches, said, "I am happy that Citibank is continuing it's association with the game of football in this country. The bank's contribution to the sport and its development in the UAE is to be congratulated. The launch of the Citibank FIFA World Cup card is a great way to kick start celebrations. I am sure that customers will find immense value in the superior benefits which this card offers."

Available in Gold and Silver options, the card design captures the energy and spirit of the game along with the joy of victory. Every successful applicant will receive gift vouchers which can be redeemed on the fabulous range of sports and lifestyle merchandise available at Sun & Sands Sports outlets in the UAE. Also, a special range of football memorabilia has been designed by Citibank, which will be given away to the first 500 successful credit card applicants.

Mr Ricky Madan, Sales and Marketing Director at Citibank, said, "Citibank is a pioneer of consumer financial services in the UAE. Our technological expertise and service infrastructure in this industry is unsurpassed. The bank now offers consumers the Citibank World Cup Card, a product that is geared to capture the excitement of the first world cup of this millennium. We are sure that football lovers will find the fabulous offers a memorable way to celebrate the 2002 FIFA World Cup."

While the promotion will have special appeal to football fans, Citibank will provide all successful applicants with the world-class privileges and benefits, which are traditionally associated with the largest issuer of credit cards in the world. This includes the pioneering Rewards programme, which has been met with a great deal of enthusiasm since its launch in 1998. Citibank cards are backed with features such as insurance benefits, free supplementary cards, state-of-the-art Internet services from Citibank Online and many other customer privileges, which make Citibank the market leader in the UAE.

Mr T. K. Raman, Vice President, Member Relations, MasterCard International, Middle East/North Africa region said that MasterCard International was proud to be the official card and key sponsor of the world's premier sporting event which enables MasterCard to bring the game to the people and the people to the game. Citibank and MasterCard are offering a "priceless" opportunity for Citibank MasterCard cardholders to watch and experience the final, semi final and quarter finals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

"As the first FIFA World Cup of the new millennium and the first to ever be played in Asia approaches, MasterCard is once again setting its sights on capturing the excitement that is FIFA World Cup and delivering unmatched value to its cardholders and members. Simply put, MasterCard are the leaders in payment solutions in the global marketplace, football is the number one sport in the Middle East and around the globe, and the FIFA World Cup is the largest sporting event in the world. MasterCard and Citibank continues to be a truly priceless alliance."

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