Etihad Airways renews its commitment to Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship

ABU DHABI, 21st January, 2016 (WAM) -- Etihad Airways has announced the renewal of its sponsorship with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship for the next five years, 2016 to 2020. The airline and Abu Dhabi Sports Council, ADSC, have signed an agreement to extend Etihad Airways’ long-standing partnership with the annual European Tour event, which will take place from 21st to 24th January at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Etihad Airways’ investment supports Abu Dhabi’s vision to position itself as a premier international golf tourism destination. The announcement was made by Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, and Aref Al Awani, ADSC’s General Secretary, at a meeting held at the airlines headquarters in Abu Dhabi. Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said, "The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is a world-class event attracting some of the games’ greatest competitors to Abu Dhabi. We are very proud to continue our support for this initiative as it fits perfectly with our strategy to reinforce Abu Dhabi as a leading hospitality and leisure destination." As part of the four-day event, Etihad Airways has organised a series of community activities including a golf simulator at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club and a best-dressed ladies competition with a prize of two tickets on the airline’s Airbus A380 service to New York. Aref Al Awani, ADSC’s General Secretary, said, "Etihad Airways is the championship’s longest-standing partner and its support over the years has played a key role in elevating the event, and golf in Abu Dhabi, onto the global stage. From enticing visitor packages and competitions, to the highly contested ‘Etihad Most Birdies Prize’, we look forward to working closely with Etihad Airways and our title sponsor HSBC to continue lifting the championship’s fan and player offering to new heights." The partnership renewal follows HSBC’s confirmation that it too will continue its title sponsorship of the championship until 2020, a clear demonstration of the bank’s commitment to the event and belief in Abu Dhabi as a sporting destination. New sponsor Mercedes Benz will also drive support for the 2016 event. – Emirates News Agency, WAM -http://www.wam.ae/en/news/sports/1395290543167.html