Business & Money | Wednesday 11 January, 2017 4:15 pm |

Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (EMPOWER), the world's largest district cooling service provider, has clinched a deal with Al Nasr Football Academy to be the gold sponsor of the academy for 2017.

The agreement was signed in the VIP lounge in Al Nasr SC today (Wednesday 11 January 2017) by HE Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (EMPOWER), and HE Adil Al Ghaith, Chairman of Al Nasr Investment Company, in the presence of Mr Mohammed Bushanain, Director of Al Nasr Football Academy.

As per the terms of this agreement, EMPOWER will be the gold sponsor of Al Nasr Football Academy during 2017 season, as part of its CSR activity to raise the standards of the sport in UAE.

HE Ahmad Bin Shafar, in a statement after signing the agreement said: “First of all, we thank HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, for his national vision, and strong support to sport in the UAE. I would also like to thank HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council for his support to Dubai football clubs. Moreover, I extend my thanks also to HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and the President of Al Nasr Club, under whose leadership the club became one of the biggest clubs in UAE.”

“Joining as gold sponsor of Al Nasr Football Academy is part of our social initiatives at Empower. Our goal is to support social and youth activities all over the county. We believe that it is our obligation to serve our local community and keep supporting the initiatives which improve the youngsters' talents and abilities," continued Bin Shafar.

HE added: "We chose to sponsor Al Nasr Football Academy because we share the club’s values. We both believe in success and excellence, and we are so proud to clinch this agreement with the Academy. We hope this agreement will lead to more success for Al Nasr Football Academy, win more trophies for the youth teams, and most important we hope that we can work together with the academy to develop the young local talents from all aspects; educational, cultural and sports as well."

HE Adil Al Ghaith, Chairman of Al Nasr Investment Company, said this agreement is part of the future vision to make the club more prosperous. He stressed the fact that the company is trying to increase the financial resources and support the academy’s teams to reach the goals set by the board, and to execute the club’s strategy of improving the academy’s teams to develop great talents in the future.

Mr. Mohammed Bushanain, Director of Al Nasr Football Academy thanked Mr. Ahmad Bin Shafar, for his strong support to the academy’s teams this season.

Mr. Bushanain added: “The sponsorship for the academy teams will be till the end of this season. Our teams have qualified to the elite league, and our goal is to win the title this year.”

Bushanain thanked Empower for its support of the academy by completing this agreement which is the first step to get more local companies to support the academy teams.  

Bin Shafar concluded his statement: “This agreement is only the first step. There are more steps to follow in the community development field. Our strategy is based on continuity and sustainability. By keeping that in mind, we are keen to have many social initiatives with various companies and organizations.”

Empower currently operates more than 1.2 Million RT, providing environmentally responsible district cooling services to large-scale real estate developments such as Jumeirah Group, Business Bay, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai International Financial Centre, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Ibn Battuta Mall, Discovery Gardens, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai World trade Centre Residences, Dubai Design District, among others.