Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Argentine Football Association announce strategic cooperation agreement

LONDON, TGO: The Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) has announced a strategic partnership agreement with the Argentina Football Association (AFA), in support of Abu Dhabi’s plans to strengthen its partnerships with international sports institutions and bodies.

The partnership agreement comes as part of the Council’s ongoing plans to attract major international sporting events and host the historical events of Argentine football in Abu Dhabi, especially after the great public successes it has achieved.

In a statement, the ADSC affirmed that a long-term agreement has been consolidated with the AFA after months of joint-work exchanges. Abu Dhabi will host the Argentine national team preparing camp for the 2022 World Cup, which will include friendly matches in November.

As part of Argentina’s collaboration with the UAE, the SuperCopa Argentina finals will be played for four consecutive years in Abu Dhabi, starting from this January, 2023, until the year 2026. The AFA will become the first federation in Latin America to export a high global impact sporting event to the Middle East region.

Speaking on the occasion, Claudio Tapia, AFA President, said, “We are very happy to announce this strategic and historic agreement for our institution. Within the expansion strategy of our football, being able to transfer the Argentine SuperCup to a destination like Abu Dhabi is very meaningful. This agreement will give greater exposure and global visibility to our competition and create new commercial opportunities for the clubs and for our association. We welcome the Sports Council of Abu Dhabi as a new commercial partner of AFA. We share the same passion for football and we will work together to leave a strong legacy footprint in Abu Dhabi.”

For his part, Aref Hamad Al Awani, General-Secretary of ADSC, commented, “We are very pleased with the strategic partnership with the AFA. It’s among our top priority to strengthen our already friendly and strong partnership with international sports federations and institutions to create major sporting events that contribute to enhancing Abu Dhabi’s leadership in the global sports scene and to embrace elite teams.”

He added, “The Argentine national team has been one of the most popular teams in the last 30 years, having produced legends as Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. It is an opportunity for all the fans in the Middle East to come close to their preparation and support them on their way to the World Cup. The Argentina National team is one of the main title candidates for the World Cup.”

“We welcome all the Argentine fans to come and enjoy their stay in Abu Dhabi as well as the whole UAE, which will welcome all to live and enjoy in a peaceful and tolerant community,” Al Awani said in conclusion.