QA is official sponsor of Qatar’s Olympic team

Qatar Airways and the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) yesterday announced a strategic partnership, with the national airline named official sponsor of the Qatar team taking part in the London Olympics in July-August. Twelve Qatari athletes are set to compete in the London Games this summer, thus making up the biggest ever contingent of local stars to participate in the world’s biggest sporting event. The Doha-based carrier will provide a fitting send off to the athletes as they prepare to join thousands of sporting stars from across the globe for the 30th Olympiad in the British capital. The Qatari athletes are, between them, competing in four key disciplines – shooting, swimming, table tennis and athletics – during the two-week event between July 27 and August 12. The partnership was signed by QOC general secretary Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar al-Baker at a press conference held at the QOC headquarters. Sheikh Saoud expressed his delight at Qatar Airways becoming a key sponsor of the Qatar Olympic team for the forthcoming London Games. “I would like to express my thanks to Qatar Airways, like other leading national companies, in supporting the sports sector in our country in a big way,” said Sheikh Saoud. “As we meet with Qatar Airways today, preparing to head to London with our athletes, this sponsorship will further demonstrate that one of the biggest companies in Qatar is committed to backing our athletes to achieve great success next month.” Akbar al-Baker said that supporting the Qatar Olympic Team fitted well in the airline’s overall strategy to back key sporting events, especially those that focus on local talent. “In just over a month, 12 young men and women from our country will compete for national glory in London,” said al-Baker. “The global spotlight will be on the British capital during two weeks of gruelling competition that will see our talented athletes take on the world’s best. The nation should take pride backing our sporting stars and cheer them on. At Qatar Airways, we are delighted to lend our support to Team Qatar promising to give them a flying send off to the world’s largest sporting event.” He added: “As the nation’s sporting ambassadors, I am sure they will demonstrate the high spirit that they have embraced, having worked hard towards selection for this great tournament. Dedication, determination and commitment are what our athletes have focused on through years of training and sacrifice to be the best in what they do. “On behalf of Qatar Airways, I tell them to enjoy the moment, cherish the moment and live the moment. We look forward to flying them to London.” Qatar Airways operates five flights each day between Doha and London Heathrow, together with 10 services each week to Manchester in northern England, offering two key gateways and great travel options to the UK.