Dubai: Emirates, who have valued diversity in their global sports sponsorships, turn their attention to UAE racing when they support a full day’s racing at Jebel Ali Racecourse on Friday.

The six-race card is highlighted by the prep race for the Listed Jebel Ali Stakes [February 19], the second of three principal races that are held at the picturesque track each season.

For the 19th consecutive year, Emirates will lend their name to racing at Jebel Ali Racecourse, which was created by Shaikh Ahmad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Chief of Dubai Police and Public Security, in 1990.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Khalid Jasem Al Sarkal, District Manager, Sharjah and Northern Emirates, highlighted Emirates’ keenness to support domestic sport under the tutelage of Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates airline and Group.

“Shaikh Ahmad considers sport’s sponsorship as a very strong marketing tool, and one by which we can communicate with our customers and support what they like,” he said.

“We are well known around the world by our sponsorship of several distinguished sporting events and our community investment priorities reflect the local nature of our business. We at Emirates believe that it’s our duty to support local sports, like horse racing, and the communities that are involved in sport.

“We recognise that we cannot have a healthy and sustainable business unless we are a socially responsible organisation.

Emirates already has a significant and prestigious portfolio of sports sponsorship - such as the Fifa World Cup, European club partnerships with AC Milan, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, including the Emirates Stadium, the International Cricket Council,the Emirates Airline Rugby Sevens and the Dubai World Cup.

“We continue to see immeasurable value in our global sports sponsorships but at the same time we are committed to enhancing the community where we do business,” Al Sarkal added.

“For example the Dubai World Cup is both an international and local event and our sponsorship manifests both the global and local spirit of our business.

“By supporting an entire day’s racing at Jebel Ali Racecourse we see it as a natural extension of our continuation of high profile sports sponsorships.”

The press conference was also attended by Shareef Al Halawani, Manager Jebel Ali Racecourse, Yasir Mabrouk, Emirates Racing Austhority (ERA) representative, former champion trainer Erwan Charpy and two-time British champion jockey Paul Hanagan.

Al Halawani thanked Emirates for their continued support and reiterated that, with the support of Shadwell Stables, Jebel Ali was committed to offering its patron the best in sporting action and entertainment.