adidas has announced it has signed a three year sponsorship deal as the official team kit supplier to Al Ahli football club until 2012. Under the terms of the deal adidas will supply specially customized team jerseys, shorts and socks for Al Ahli football team in both the Saudi League and Cup matches, in addition to all international games in the Asian Football Championship.
adidas will also supply Al Ahli’s basketball and volleyball teams with apparel and footwear. All sporting outfits will feature the distinctive fairway green and white Al Ahli club colours. Fans of Al Ahli football team will benefit from the new sponsorship deal, as adidas will commercialise Al Ahli matchwear for sale within the Saudi market.
An inuaguaration ceremony was held to announce the contract at Park Hyatt Hotel, Jeddah. The signing was attended by Al Ahli President Abdul Aziz Al Ankari, alongside star Al Ahli players including team captain Mohammed Masaad and centre forward Malik Moaz.
Commenting on the signing of the deal Abdul Aziz Al Ankari, Al Ahli said:
“The sponsorship represents Al Ahli’s confidence in a world leading sports brand such as adidas. We’re delighted to be working with a company with such a long heritage and expertise in working with football teams from across the globe at the highest level.”
The Al Ahli jersey is a Special Make Up (SMU), which means it was specifically designed to fit the club colors of fairway green, white and blue. It is made from adidas FORMOTION technology, which use pre-shaped 3D silhouettes that allow great freedom of movement while undertaking exercise. The CLIMACOOL® clothing retracts heat and sweat away from the body through a mixture of heat and moisture management materials, ventilation channels and three dimensional fabrics which allow air to move closely to the skin.
The kit also features sculpted openings at the collar, waistband, hem, arm openings, cuffs & leg openings combined with specific fabrics, constructions and ideal seam placement to result in an optimized fit and comfort for Al Ahli football players.
At the inuaguaration event adidas also presented its ‘Golden Boot’ to Al Ahli club as a sign of recognition for the close partnership it wishes to develop. Commenting on the presentation and the new sponsorship, Jad Chouman, Head of Product and Sports Marketing adidas Emerging Markets, said:
“Al Ahli is one of the largest clubs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I am extremely proud to announce our sponsorship agreement with the club. The team has a strong record of success with some outstanding players. We want to be able to provide Al Ahli team with the best products possible to help them perform on the pitch.”
Ah Ahli will wear the new kit immeadiately for this season and onwards.
adidas is the official partner and supplier to numerous football clubs, including AC Milan, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Chelsea, alongside national teams such as Argentina, Germany, France and Spain. adidas football boots are worn by numerous global football stars including Lionel Messi (adidas F50i), Steven Gerrard and David Beckham (adidas Predator) and Kaka (adidas adiPure).
© 2009 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
