Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s Chairman (REC) Sheikh Mohamed bin Faleh Al Thani (second right) shakes hands with Mohamed Rashid Ali Al Khater (second left) PR Officer (Admin Affairs) of the Public Relations and Communications department of Qatar Petroleum (QP), after signing a contract agreement at a press conference in Doha yesterday. QP will sponsor the Qatar Arabian World Cup for the fifth time. Hassan Mohammad Al Ajmi, Head of the Protocol of PR Department and Communications of QP, and Sami Jassim Al Boenain, General Manager of REC, are also seen. PICTURE BY: KAMMUTTY VP
DOHA: Qatar Petroleum yesterday signed a one-year deal with Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (REC) to sponsor the internationally acclaimed Qatar Arabian World Cup for the fifth time.
The popular race will be held at the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris during the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend (October 5 to 7).
The deal was signed by Mohamed Rashid Ali Al-Khater, PR Officer, Public Relations and Communications, and REC Chairman Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh Al Thani.
Hassan Mohammed Al Ajmi, Head of Protocol, Public Relations and Communications, and Sami Jassim Al Boenain, REC General Manager, were also present during the sponsorship ceremony.
The agreement was signed at the QREC’s premises.
Qatar Arabian World Cup is a Group I race which will be run over a distance of 2,000 metres on the same day as the historic Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
“We are delighted with our tie-up with Qatar Petroleum who are sponsoring the event for the fifth time,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
“I would like to thank Qatar Petroleum for sponsoring this prestigious race. Qatar Petroleum has always supported REC and especially Arabian horses. This is the fifth year that they are supporting Qatar Arabian World Cup.
“It is a global promotion for Qatar Petroleum at the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris,” said Sheikh Mohammed added.
The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend is a global event that is watched by almost a billion people in 30 countries. Over the weekend, 600 journalists and 60,000 spectators will flock to Longchamp racecourse.
“We are proud to be associated with REC for this event to be held in Paris,” Al Khater said. “Qatar Petroleum is considered one of the top oil and gas companies in the world. This sponsorship is part of our social responsibility. Horse racing is part of Qatar’s heritage,” he added.
“Qatar Petroleum’s takes pride in associating itself with sports events and our new partnership puts us in a perfect place to showcase the country’s great interest in horse racing,” he added. Al Boenain said QREC was preparing for what he said was the biggest Arabian horse event in the world. “This event has grown in stature ever since we staged it for the first time five years ago,” Al Boenain said.
“I am not saying we staged a perfect event the first time itself, but we do know that it has grown on various fronts ever since. This year the prize money has been increased to €700,000. This obviously adds more value to the event’s popularity among the horse racing fans,” he added. “The organisers have already received some 30 entries for the race. This will be trimmed to 20 entries in a day or two. It sure looks that it will be one exciting weekend in Paris,” Al Boenain added.
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