ExxonMobil Exclusive Sponor of HH the Heir Apparent Sword Race Due to Kick Off on Thursday

Doha, February 06 (QNA) -As part of its continuing long-standing support of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, ExxonMobil will again serve as the exclusive sponsor of HH the Heir Apparent Sword Race, which will take place on Thursday, February 9, 2012. Held at the preeminent Racing and Equestrian Club facilities, this prestigious event will see the best pure Arabians and Thoroughbreds race for top honors. The 2012 sponsorship agreement between ExxonMobil and the Racing and Equestrian Club was announced at the press conference held on Monday and attended by Chairman of the Racing and Equestrian Club Sheikh Mohamed bin Faleh Al Thani, as well as General Manager of the Racing and Equestrian Club Sami Al-Bouinain. While representing ExxonMobil Qatar were President and General Manager Bart Cahir, and Vice President of Government and Public Affairs Saleh Al-Mana. In remarks to reporters on the occasion , General Manager Bart Cahir said, "Our sponsorship of HH the Heir Apparent Sword Race is especially meaningful to ExxonMobil as it emphasizes an important part of Qatar s heritage - the tradition of equestrian excellence." "Under the patronage of His Highness the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, this event has become a great source of national pride, and it demonstrates Qatar s enviable position as a leader in equestrian activities," Cahir said. Elaborating Cahir said, "At ExxonMobil, we value our role in the community. This is especially true in Qatar a place full of culture and traditions." "We believe that one of the most important contributions we can make to Qatar and its citizens is to encourage events of cultural and traditional significance such as horse racing, through our continued sponsorship. While Qatar shines in the global spotlight as the host nation for the FIFA 2022 World Cup, it is equally important to preserve Qatar s heritage of traditional sports, including horse racing," ExxonMobi General Manager concluded. Meanwhile the Chairman of the Racing and Equestrian Club Sheikh Mohamed bin Faleh Al Thani thanked ExxonMobil for its continued support for HH the Heir Apparent Sword Race. "ExxonMobil and the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club have a long standing relationship. We thank ExxonMobil for its interest in supporting horse racing, which is indeed a sport fostered by our forefathers. We hope events like these can elevate the status of equestrian excellence in the region and around the world," said Sheikh Mohamed bin Faleh Al Thani. HH the Heir Apparent Sword Race will see 13 local bred Pure Arabians competing over a distance of 2,400 meters. Top horses including Nimr, Iftekhar, Mukheefah and Raihan, along with their owners, trainers and jockeys, are all vying for a chance to take home the QR 800,000 purse. Vice President of Government and Public Affairs Saleh Al-Mana said, " Exxon Mobil is eager to show up at every sporting and entertainment events in Qatar, a key supporter of many activities, according to the company's vision to the need to interact with community through its participation in the success of all sporting events and social development" . Elaborating he said that Exxon Mobil has a relationship with an old racing and Equestrian Club and has been supporting and sponsoring many of the races organized by the Great and that this partnership between the parties with interests and benefits of many of the company and the club " For his part, General Manager of Racing and Equestrian Club, Sami Al Buanin said, "The Race of HH the Heir Apparent has the participation of the best Arabian thoroughbred horses of the local arabian bred and the imported ones and consists of 8 runs in the first day and 4 runs in the last day." He thanked the Exxon Mobil to continue its sponsorship of this race which is expected to see strong and fierce competition amid the presence of the best arabian thoroughbred horses which have gained prestigious fame across the globe especially after capturing several world prizes. (QNA)