UAE cricket team receives major boost with new sponsorship deal

Joy Chakravarty 14:29 05/03/2014
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  • Huge boost: OSN confirmed their deal to sponsor the UAE cricket team.

    The recent efforts of the UAE national cricket team have been recognised and they have managed to secure corporate backing as they embark on their journey to Bangladesh for the ICC World T20 Cup.

    The Khurram Khan-led side, which leaves the country on Sunday to take part in the elite tournament, will be sponsored by OSN, the region’s leading pay-TV broadcasters. All of the UAE’s matches, as well as the entire ICC World T20 Cup will be telecast on OSN.

    The UAE not only qualified for the T20 World Cup, but also became the first team in the country’s history to receive one-day international status by qualifying for the Cricket World Cup in Australia early next year.

    A delighted Aaqib Javed, coach of the national team, welcomed the announcement, calling it another important step in the development of the game in the UAE.

    When asked if the new sponsorship would mean extra pressure on the team, Javed said: “Not at all. We don’t see it as pressure, we see it as a motivation.

    “It’s great to have a corporate sponsor for the team. You feel better, you feel proud, and you feel you are being rewarded for doing something good.”

    Another UAE national team member, Ahmed Raza, said: “I don’t think we are under any pressure. We are all ready to make you proud, and make OSN proud.”

    As team sponsor, the OSN logo will appear on all match and training gear of the team, for all home and away series in all formats.

    OSN will also support the UAE women’s national team, the Under-19 and the Under-16 teams.

    David Butorac, Chief Executive Officer, OSN, said: “OSN is committed to establishing its position as the region’s home of cricket and our support of the UAE national cricket teams demonstrates our efforts to truly encourage regional cricketing talent on an international scale."

    National team skipper Khan added: “It is an honour to have OSN’s support as we step out to represent the UAE in the international circuit. We will do our best and look forward to playing more international tournaments.”

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