ExxonMobil to sponsor competition at Shaqab

HE Sheikha al-Mayassa bint Hamad al-Thani, vice-chairperson of Al Shaqab, has signed a sponsorship agreement, as part of which ExxonMobil Qatar will be the main sponsor of the international equestrian competition, Chi Al Shaqab 2013. The event, to be held from March 27 to 30 in Qatar, will be the first edition of the annual competition to be hosted by Al Shaqab, Qatar Foundation’s equestrian facility.The agreement was signed in the presence of Fahad bin Saad al-Qahtani, Al Shaqab director and Chi Al Shaqab 2013 president, Suzanne McCarron, president of ExxonMobil Foundation, Bart Cahir, president and general manager of ExxonMobil Qatar Inc, and other officials.Chi Al Shaqab 2013 will be held under the patronage of Al Shaqab chairperson HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad al-Thani and HE Sheikha al-Mayassa. Chi (Concours Hippique International - International Equestrian Competition) is the official title given by the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) to international equestrian meets comprising three or more equine disciplines over a week. This is the first time that such an event is being hosted in the Middle East and Asia.The four-day festival will play host to an assortment of world-class show jumping, dressage and endurance events. As many as 170 riders from over 25 nations, along with 200 horses, are expected to participate. More than 10,000 visitors are expected, including members of the Qatari Royal Family and other leading dignitaries from the Gulf, as well as local and international VIPs.  A spectator plaza designed to celebrate Qatar’s rich heritage in equine culture and sports will be open to all members of the public. The 17,000sqm plaza will boast an array of family-orientated activities, including a fashion exhibition and a trade market, a dedicated children’s zone, an international food court and various cultural presentations and events.“Preserving and promoting Qatari culture is part of Al Shaqab’s obligations and a cause we have dedicated much time to. Moreover, the opportunity to host leading equestrian events provides a platform to raise global awareness of our facilities. This is crucial to our nation’s sports strategy, which is a central pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030,” said HE Sheikha al-Mayassa in a statement after the signing ceremony.“Chi Al Shaqab brings together all these elements. We appreciate ExxonMobil not only for its support but also for showing great belief in the equine culture of Qatar. The partnership will open doors for further co-operation.”Al-Qahtani expressed his “sincere appreciation to the Al Shaqab chairperson, vice-chairperson and board members for their support and dedication. Al Shaqab has a clear strategy and is working for this sport by organising the event annually”. Welcoming the agreement, al-Qahtani said: “ExxonMobil has a long history of supporting equestrian events in Qatar. The organisation’s dedication to fostering a sport that is inherently tied to the history and culture of Qatar is in line with Al Shaqab’s own vision. This partnership represents a combined effort to promote and preserve the equine heritage.” ExxonMobil officials expressed their delight at working with Al Shaqab for the event. “We are honoured to support an event that features an important part of Qatar’s heritage,” said Cahir.“Chi Al Shaqab 2013 will pay tribute to this rich history, while also serving to promote the continued development of equestrian sports in Qatar and around the world.”The organising committee had earlier held a press conference on the Al Shaqab premises where Omar al-Mannai, event director of Chi Al Shaqab 2013, and Khalil al-Jaber, director of the sports affairs department, Qatar Olympic Committee, had joined al-Qahtani in announcing the launch of the competition.