ExxonMobil Qatar and the Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF) jointly hosted a gala dinner to launch the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2018. The event was attended by Qatar’s key business and community leaders and several of the tennis players competing in the 2018, including Dominic Thiem, Pablo Carreno Busta, Tomas Berdych, and Richard Gasquet.
QTF president Nasser al-Khelaifi and ExxonMobil Qatar president and general manager Alistair Routledge welcomed the evening’s guests, and emphasised the strong partnership and friendship their organisations share.
“I am honoured to welcome you to this celebratory launch of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2018 – it’s so wonderful to see so many familiar faces here this evening,” said Routledge. “Today we’re celebrating 26 years of partnership with the Qatar Tennis Federation, and the promise of another spectacular tournament in Doha.
“Hosting a major sports event has the power to put a city on the map, and the Qatar ExxonMobil Open shines an international spotlight on Doha. It is an iconic sporting venue, and a great example of hospitality and endurance. I am so proud to call it home.”
Tournament director Karim Alami said, “We are happy to welcome the world once again to Doha. Qatar is the hub of global sport and we are passionate about tennis. I’ve no doubt that the 2017 Qatar ExxonMobil Open will surpass the previous editions in all aspects.
“Our tournament has grown over the years to become one of the most keenly contested tennis event in the region and on the ATP Tour. Through this event we could move tennis forward in our region and also helped in developing the game with increasing interests,” he added.
“Over the years, Qatar ExxonMobil Open has developed to be one of the most sort after tennis tournaments in the region,” Alami said.
ExxonMobil Qatar has been the title sponsor of the tournament for 24 years, in partnership with the Qatar Tennis Federation. Marking the 26th anniversary of the tournament, this year’s Qatar ExxonMobil Open began on January 1, and will conclude on Saturday bringing some of the world’s top players together to compete for the trophy and a share of the prize money.
In line with the Qatar National Vision 2030, ExxonMobil is committed to supporting Qatar’s sustainable development goals. The company has partnered with local organisations, and has invested in education and professional workforce development programmes that promote a highly skilled, motivated and productive workforce.