Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UAE Wrestling Federation to become the Federation's Official Airline and Strategic Partner, the airline said in a statement.

Under the agreement, Etihad will support the Federation's activities and athlete development. It will also work with the Federation to engage fans and communities through competitions, digital platforms and grassroots initiatives, according to the statement.

The airline will also hold naming rights for the Federation's primary training centre.

The partnership will place particular emphasis on women in wrestling, with Etihad providing strategic support for initiatives aimed at increasing female participation and creating pathways for young women athletes, the statement said.

The MoU was signed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Saeed bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Secretary-General of the Federation, and Arik De, Etihad's Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer. The statement said the signing took place on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sheikh Hamdan said the agreement was part of the Federation's effort to build strategic partnerships with leading national organisations. He said the cooperation would create new opportunities for athletes and national teams, including in their participation in championships and events. "Meaningful partnerships play a vital role in supporting the Federation's journey," he said.

De said the partnership would help take UAE athletes' journeys "from the training ground to the global stage". He said it reflected Etihad's commitment to supporting the UAE's sporting ambitions, and that the airline looked forward to sharing the athletes' stories with audiences worldwide.

Etihad said the collaboration forms part of its wider support for sport in the UAE. Both parties said the partnership also reflected their commitment to strengthening cooperation between national organisations and advancing the sports sector, in line with the UAE's position as a leading destination for sports and international events.

Source: PR