UAE wrestlers set for greater global opportunities under new Etihad partnership
New MoU supports national teams, athlete development and international competitions
ABU DHABI – Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national airline, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UAE Wrestling Federation to become its Official Airline and Strategic Partner, creating new opportunities for athletes and national teams across the country.
The partnership will support the Federation’s activities, athlete development and participation in championships and sporting events, while strengthening engagement with fans and communities. It also includes initiatives focused on expanding opportunities for women in wrestling and supporting the next generation of female athletes.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) at Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together two UAE organisations to strengthen cooperation around sport and athlete development.
Athlete support
Under the MoU, Etihad will support the UAE Wrestling Federation’s activities and athlete development programmes, helping national teams and athletes participate in competitions and events.
The collaboration will also create opportunities to engage audiences through competitions, digital platforms and grassroots initiatives. These activities are intended to bring greater visibility to the journeys of UAE athletes as they compete at events in the UAE and internationally.
As part of the agreement, Etihad will also hold naming rights for the UAE Wrestling Federation’s primary training centre, extending the airline’s involvement into the development environment where athletes prepare for competitions.
The partnership places particular emphasis on women’s wrestling. Etihad will provide strategic support for initiatives aimed at increasing female participation in the sport and establishing pathways for the next generation of women athletes.
Global stage
The MoU was 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 of Etihad Airways.
Sheikh Hamdan said the agreement marked an important step in the Federation’s efforts to build strategic partnerships with leading national organisations and support its plans to develop wrestling in the UAE.
He said the cooperation with Etihad would expand areas of collaboration and create opportunities for athletes and national teams, including their participation in championships and other events.
Arik De said the partnership would help take the journeys of UAE athletes from training to international competition, while reflecting Etihad’s wider support for the country’s sporting ambitions.
For Etihad, the agreement forms part of its broader commitment to supporting sport in the UAE and connecting people, communities and opportunities within the country and internationally.
The partnership also supports closer cooperation between national organisations and contributes to the development of the UAE sports sector, as the country continues to host sporting competitions and international events.