WAM
17 May 2025

ABU DHABI, 17th May, 2025 (WAM) -- Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Managing Director and Group CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and Executive Chairman of XRG, witnessed the signing of a historic agreement between Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club and the two companies, ADNOC and XRG, at ADNOC headquarters.

Under the agreement, ADNOC will be the official sponsor of Al Ain's first football team's jersey during local matches throughout the upcoming sporting season.

Meanwhile, XRG will sponsor the team's training kit during their participation in the FIFA Clubs World Cup 2025, continuing through to the end of the season.

The agreement was signed on behalf of Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club by Rashid Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer of Al Ain Investment Company, and on behalf of XRG and ADNOC by Saif Atiq Al Falahi, Chairman of ADNOC Group Business Support and Special Tasks Department. The signing was attended by members of Al Ain Football Company's board of directors, including Mohammed Ibrahim Al Mahmoud and Mohammed Saif Al Katabi.

Also in attendance were a number of Al Ain first team players, including Khalid Eisa Mohammed Bilal Saeed Al Mesmari (goalkeeper), Soufiane Rahimi (forward), Mohammed Abbas Ahmed Abdulla Hassan Al Balochi (midfielder), and Alejandro Sebastian Romero Gamarra, known as Kaku (attacking midfielder), alongside several CEOs and department heads from Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club, ADNOC and XRG.

Mohammed Saif Al Katabi, Member of the Board of Directors at Al Ain Football Company, emphasised that the partnership with ADNOC represents an advanced model of integration between sporting ambition and a developmental economic vision. He stated that the goals of Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club-representing the UAE in major international tournaments-are aligned with ADNOC's national economic ambitions, and with the strategic investment vision of XRG in natural gas, chemicals and low-carbon energy solutions.

Al Katabi said, "This collaboration with ADNOC, a leading company in energy, technology and innovation, not only reflects support for a major national institution representing the nation at the Clubs World Cup, but also highlights the synergy between sport as a source of social inspiration and the economy as a driver of sustainable development. It contributes to strengthening the UAE model as a global example."

He added, "We do not view this as a traditional sponsorship agreement. It is a far-reaching investment in national values that integrate leadership, sustainability and the honourable representation of the UAE at both sporting and economic platforms."

Al Katabi concluded, "We believe in the importance of this strategic agreement, which comes at a pivotal moment. We look forward to seeing this partnership contribute to achieving our shared goals and enhancing the leading position of Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club, in line with the aspirations of the UAE sports sector and the growing ambitions of the Ainawi nation."

Saif Al Falahi added, "In line with the wise leadership's directives to elevate the UAE sports sector, ADNOC and XRG are pleased to sign this historic agreement with Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club, who will represent the UAE in global football at the Clubs World Cup 2025. This collaboration reflects our joint commitment to leveraging the power of sport to unite communities, promote prosperity and strengthen the UAE's global presence in sporting arenas."