Dubai Duty Free serves up more Classic support

While the name of Dubai Duty Free is now synonymous with its own ATP and WTA tournaments at the Dubai Tennis Stadium, the company has been a key supporter of the Desert Classic since it was first staged in 1989.

And with Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Colin Montgomerie all eyeing the famous trophy once again, Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Colm McLoughlin - a great supporter of sport in the UAE - believes Dubai is firmly at the forefront of Middle East sport.

"We have been involved with the Dubai Desert Classic since day one and our enthusiasm has never waned for what is one of the cornerstones of the UAE sporting calendar," he said.

"The Desert Classic, the Dubai Tennis Championships, the Dubai World Cup and the Dubai Rugby 7s are the four Majors, if you like, of the sporting calendar and Dubai Duty Free is proud to be involved with every one of them."

Sponsored by Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL), the $2.4 million Dubai Desert Classic will take place at the Emirates Golf Club's Majlis Course from February 2-5, 2006.

"Just look at the stars that regularly appear in Dubai and it's abundantly clear that the emirate is up there with the world's very best sporting arenas," added McLoughlin. "Roger Federer and Tiger Woods are arguably the best two sportsmen in the world who pick and choose where they play.

"The fact that they are happy to come to Dubai and, more importantly, are comfortable being here is testament to the facilities, infrastructure and hospitality that is provided by both the organisers and the sponsors."

While Dubai Duty Free is a familiar supporter of the Dubai Desert Classic, other golfing events also benefit from the company's support.

The annual Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup is an established highlight on the sporting calendar of international duty free and aviation industry representatives, while on the local scene, Dubai Duty Free is also a keen supporter of golfers as a corporate patron of the UGA Junior Development Programme and sponsor of the Dubai Duty Free UAE Nationals Cup, Dubai Duty Free Golf Cup and the Dubai Duty Free Seniors Cup. The Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup, which attracts over 100 of the world's top industry executives, was played at the Desert Course Arabian Ranches and the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club on December 2-3.

Besides DUBAL as the main sponsor, CNN International, The World by Nakheel, Arabian Ranches by Emaar and Samsung as co-sponsors, other Desert Classic sponsors include: Emirates as official airline and Hole-In-One Sponsor; official caterer, hotel and challenge match sponsor Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa; Official Bank National Bank of Dubai; official courtesy car BMW; and event newspaper Gulf News.