Doha (QATAR): Al Jazeera Network - today announced that it has signed on as the Global Media Sponsor for the Commercialbank Qatar Masters, presented by Dolphin Energy. To be staged at Doha Golf Club from January 28-31, the $2.5 million European Tour event will see Al Jazeera Network as a supporting partner to title sponsor Commercialbank for the next three years.
“We have a world-class field with world class sponsorship support,” said Hassan Al Nuami, President of the Qatar Golf Association (QGA). “The QGA is excited to have Al Jazeera join the family of sponsors and we look forward to a long and positive relationship both on and off the course.”
Andrew Stevens, Group CEO of tournament title sponsors Commercialbank added: “As one of the strongest global brands operating out of Qatar, there is a perfect fit between Al Jazeera and the tournament,”
“Over the past few years, the event has grown to become an international sporting success story. With Al Jazeera’s support, we are confident of achieving even greater international exposure for Qatar’s leading sporting event.”
Al Jazeera Network has expanded over the years with a world-class line-up of news, documentary and sports channels. The line-up of channels now includes the flagship Al Jazeera Satellite Channel, Al Jazeera Mubasher, Al Jazeera Documentary, 14 Sports Channels, and Al Jazeera English which now has a global reach of more than 190 million homes in six continents.
The English channel has won multiple awards including the Royal Television Society Award, Amnesty International Award, Concentra Award, the Monte Carlo TV Award, and two Emmy award nominations in 2009.
The channel broadcasts news, current affairs, features, analysis, documentaries, live debates, entertainment, business and sport.
Tony Burman, Managing Director for Al Jazeera English stated: “We’re delighted to be able to partner in this world-class event and look forward to supporting this highly-regarded tournament. Al Jazeera continues to break new ground internationally and we look forward to this successful partnership over the next three years.”
As part of the three-year agreement, Al Jazeera will assist in the promotion of the tournament via its media, specifically the Al Jazeera English Channel, the Arabic-language Al Jazeera Satellite Channel and the Al Jazeera Documentary Channel. Al Jazeera will also be reporting from Doha Golf Club throughout the tournament.
“The Commercialbank Qatar Masters, presented by Dolphin Energy, being a global event right here in Qatar, is an ideal match for Al Jazeera,” added Phil Lawrie, Director of Global Distribution & Licensing. “We are excited to be involved and look forward to developing the opportunities that will arise from being a partner with this world-class sporting occasion.”
The 2010 Commercialbank Qatar Masters, presented by Dolphin Energy, will feature a field of 126 players from around the globe.
Defending champion Alvaro Quiros – the biggest hitter on the European Tour – who will be aiming to be the first player ever to successfully retain the trophy faces a formidable challenge from a world-class field featuring world number four Lee Westwood, world number seven Henrik Stenson, world number eight Paul Casey, America’s world number ten Kenny Perry, Colombian superstar Camilo Villegas, Spain’s Sergio Garcia and two-time Major winner Retief Goosen.
