Etihad Airways Becomes Official Airline Partner Of UAE Wrestling Federation To Drive Sports Growth And Global Connections
Published
Image generated with Ai
Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national carrier, has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UAE Wrestling Federation, becoming the Federation’s Official Airline and Strategic Partner. The partnership highlights Etihad’s continued efforts to support sports, athletes and community-focused initiatives throughout the Emirates.
The agreement was announced during Arabian Travel Market (ATM) at the Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together two UAE-based organisations with a common goal of promoting sporting excellence, wider participation and greater opportunities through athletics. As part of the collaboration, Etihad will provide support for the Federation’s programmes, athlete development initiatives and sporting activities while introducing new ways to connect with fans and communities through competitions, digital engagement and grassroots projects.
The partnership will also see Etihad receive naming rights for the UAE Wrestling Federation’s main training facility, reinforcing the airline’s long-term commitment to developing wrestling and supporting athletes across the country.
A key focus of the collaboration will be advancing women’s participation in wrestling. Etihad will contribute strategic support towards initiatives aimed at encouraging more female athletes to take part in the sport, while helping create stronger development pathways for future generations of women wrestlers.
The MoU was formally signed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Saeed bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Secretary-General of the UAE Wrestling Federation, and Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, representing a shared commitment to using sport as a platform for empowerment, inclusion and community growth.
Sheikh Hamdan Bin Saeed Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Secretary General of the UAE Wrestling Federation said: “This Memorandum of Understanding represents an important step in the UAE Wrestling Federation’s journey towards building strategic partnerships with leading national organisations that support our plans to develop wrestling in the UAE. Through our collaboration with Etihad, we look forward to expanding areas of cooperation and creating new opportunities that support our athletes and national teams, as well as their participation in various championships and events.”
He added: “We believe that meaningful partnerships play a vital role in supporting the Federation’s journey and achieving its aspirations for the next phase. This collaboration will help create further opportunities for athletes and contribute to the continued growth of wrestling in the UAE.”
Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “At Etihad we take people beyond borders, connecting dreams, ambitions and possibilities with the world. Through our partnership with the UAE Wrestling Federation, we are proud to help take the journeys of UAE athletes further, from the training ground to the global stage. This collaboration reflects our commitment to supporting the UAE’s sporting ambitions and the athletes who represent our nation on the international stage. Their determination, resilience and pursuit of excellence embody the same spirit of going further, and we look forward to sharing their stories with audiences around the world.”
Etihad’s partnership represents another step in the airline’s ongoing efforts to promote and support the sports ecosystem in the UAE. It highlights the carrier’s broader role in bringing people, communities and global opportunities closer together while strengthening connections between the UAE and international markets.
The collaboration also demonstrates the shared commitment of both organisations to expanding cooperation among national entities and helping drive the continued growth of the sports industry. The initiative aligns with the UAE’s growing reputation as a major global hub for sporting events, competitions and international engagement.
