Etihad Airways has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the UAE Wrestling Federation, making the national carrier the Federation’s official airline and strategic partner.
The agreement was signed at the Arabian Travel Market at Dubai World Trade Centre, with Sheikh Hamdan bin Saeed bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Secretary-General of the Federation, and Arik De, Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, putting their names to the deal.
Under the terms of the MoU, Etihad will support athlete development and Federation activities, with naming rights to the UAE Wrestling Federation’s primary training centre. The airline will also engage fans and communities through competitions, digital platforms, and grassroots programmes.
A stated priority of the partnership is expanding female participation in wrestling. Etihad has committed to providing strategic support for initiatives aimed at increasing the number of women in the sport and creating development pathways for the next generation of athletes.
“This Memorandum of Understanding represents an important step in the UAE Wrestling Federation’s journey towards building strategic partnerships with leading national organisations that support our plans to develop wrestling in the UAE. Through our collaboration with Etihad, we look forward to expanding areas of cooperation and creating new opportunities that support our athletes and national teams, as well as their participation in various championships and events. We believe that meaningful partnerships play a vital role in supporting the Federation’s journey and achieving its aspirations for the next phase. This collaboration will help create further opportunities for athletes and contribute to the continued growth of wrestling in the UAE,” Sheikh Hamdan Bin Saeed Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Secretary General of the UAE Wrestling Federation said in a statement.
“At Etihad we take people beyond borders, connecting dreams, ambitions and possibilities with the world. Through our partnership with the UAE Wrestling Federation, we are proud to help take the journeys of UAE athletes further, from the training ground to the global stage. This collaboration reflects our commitment to supporting the UAE’s sporting ambitions and the athletes who represent our nation on the international stage. Their determination, resilience and pursuit of excellence embody the same spirit of going further, and we look forward to sharing their stories with audiences around the world,” Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways added.
For Etihad, the wrestling deal adds to an existing portfolio of sports sponsorships and reflects a pattern of the airline using athletic partnerships to build community ties alongside its commercial network.