DUBAI, U.A.E., 7th January 2009 - Emirates, the Dubai-based global airline, today announced its commitment to the future success of Asian football, with a four year, multi-million dollar extension to its sponsorship of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Emirates first became an Official Sponsor and Official Airline of the AFC in 2002 and has remained committed to Asia’s most prestigious football events ever since.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group and AFC President, Mohamed bin Hammam, made the announcement at a press conference held at the airline’s global headquarters in Dubai.

Sheikh Ahmed said, “Asian football continues to make giant strides forward in terms of quality and reach, and this commitment to success mirrors the drive and ambitions of Emirates. We have been involved in Asian football since 1996 when we were the Official Airline of the AFC Asian Cup and we have all come a long way since then.

“We look forward to supporting all of the AFC events, many of which will be taking place in the cities that we fly to within our ever expanding network of over 100 destinations across six continents.”

Mohamed bin Hamamm, President of the AFC, said, “I would like to thank Emirates Airline for their loyalty to the sport of football not only in the region but also around the world. It is through the support of our partners, such as Emirates, that helps us to continue the growth and development of Asian football and we are extremely grateful to them.”

Seamus O’Brien, Chairman, World Sport Group, said: “Emirates Airline has been a partner of the Asian Football Confederation since 2002, today however, marks a new chapter in Emirates Airline’s involvement in Asian football. In less than a decade, Emirates Airline has become a key supporter of Asian football and this renewal is in itself a powerful testament to the growing stature and strength of the sport in the region.”

As an Official Partner of the AFC, Emirates has rights to all AFC tournaments including the AFC Champions League, AFC Cup, AFC Challenge Cup, and a number of Club, Women’s and Youth team events. Through this partnership Emirates will gain considerable media exposure with over 120 games each year being televised on a live or delayed basis around the world.

In addition to its support of Asian Football Confederation, Emirates is an Official Partner of the FIFA World Cup^TM with close links to FIFA and all its projects in the 2007-2014 period. At the 2006 FIFA World Cup^TM Emirates became the first airline to be an Official Partner of the world’s premier football tournament.

Emirates also sponsors Arsenal football club and has the naming rights of their new home, the Emirates Stadium, in addition to partnerships with Hamburg SV, Paris Saint Germain Football Club, AC Milan and Olympiacos FC. Emirates is also involved in a wide range of sports including sailing, golf, horseracing, tennis, cricket and rugby.

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