Speaking
at the Mobile World Congress 2013, soon after the contract was renewed with a signing
ceremony, the group chief executive officer (GCEO), Etisalat Group, Ahmad
Julfar, explained that the deal means the UAE-based company is FC Barcelona
official partner in the region, including countries where it has operations
such as Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, the Ivory Coast, Benin, Togo, Niger, Gabon and
Central Africa Republic.
According
to him, this agreement is a major event for the telecommunications industry This
signing took place precisely in Barcelona at FC Barcelona’s stadium, Camp Nou,
between Mr Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar of Etisalat Group and Sandro Rosell, the president
of FC Barcelona.
Present
at the ceremony include Mr. Steven Evans, Etisalat’s CEO for Nigeria, Khalid Al
Kaf, CEO for Mobily, which operates in Saudi Arabia, Nagi Abboud, CEO for
Atlantique Telecom, its Chief Regional Officer for Africa, Essa Al Haddad and
Rainer Rathgeber, Etisalat Group’s Chief Commercial Officer.
“As
a global telecommunications operator, it makes sense for us to partner with a
world-class football club interested in expanding its international fan base,”
the group CEO said.
This
partnership, he also said, presents a unique opportunity for the mobile company
to demonstrate Etisalat Group’s capabilities as a telecommunications operator,
while allowing FC Barcelona to engage new fans in the Middle East, Africa and
Asia.
“We
very much look forward to sharing the talent of FC Barcelona with our
customers,” he said.
Commenting,
Mr. Evans of Etisalat Nigeria noted that football is a major past-time in
Nigeria and across Africa.
“People
from all walks of life enjoy this sport and other activities associated with
it. By partnering with FC Barcelona, we’re able to allow our customers and
Nigerians especially, to extend their support to the world's most famous
football team,” he said.
As
said by him, the FCB partnership creates a suitable platform to connect with
customers across segments that are passionate about international football,
stressing that Etisalat will continue to support the development of sports in
Nigeria and provide platforms such as this to key into the passion of Nigerians.
For
Sandro Rosell, the president of FC Barcelona, they want to attract new fans
from around the world and ongoing partnership with Etisalat has created another
way for this to be achieved thereby enhancing FCB image and presence in the
Middle East, Africa and Asia.
“Our
team looks forward to playing for Etisalat Group’s customers and is excited
about how easy they are making it for committed and potential fans to view our
matches,” he submitted.
Remmy Nweke
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
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