Sony Gulf will be the Official partner of the Gulf’s most popular football event, the 19th Arabian Gulf Cup of Nations, set to take place in Oman in January 2009.

UAE, December 23 2008 – It was announced today that Sony Gulf will be the Official partner of the Gulf’s most popular football event, the 19^th Arabian Gulf Cup of Nations, set to take place in Oman in January 2009. This is the first major Middle East football tournament Sony is partnering with and is an extension of the Sony’s global 8-year FIFA partnership from 2007-2014 that covers the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups.

Commenting on this partnership, Osamu Miura, managing director of Sony Gulf said: “Football is the GCC’s favourite sport. I can’t think of a better way for Sony to enter the hearts and minds of the people and celebrate the game with them than to partner with the best of the Middle East football action through the Arabian Gulf Cup of Nations”.

“Sony isn’t just committed to the promotion of football at the global level, but we are very keen on supporting it at the regional level. We have great respect for the energy, enthusiasm and dedication to the sport in our region and we look forward to promoting football in the region and exciting our Sony customers along the way,” added Miura.

 

Each of the eight Gulf Confederation Countries will be represented by their national teams bidding to become the GCC Champion, with the first game, between Oman and Kuwait, scheduled to be held at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat on 4^th January 2009.      

“We are delighted that Sony has agreed to become a partner of the 19^th Arabian Gulf Cup of Nations. As a partner of FIFA and of the UEFA Champions League, and now of the most important tournament in the GCC region, Sony's pedigree in international football sponsorship is second to none. Most of all, this partnership will allow us to enhance fans' experience of the Gulf Cup of Nations tournament through Sony's hi-definition products, leading to a successful and memorable event,” said Mr. Fahad Al-Raisi, Assistant Under Secretary, Ministry of Sports Affairs, Oman.

As the official electronics and data partner of the 19^th Arabian Gulf Cup of Nations 2009, Sony will enjoy various category exclusive rights regionally. Sony Gulf will also have access to other Gulf Cup of Nations properties and sports, namely, Handball, Basketball and Volleyball.

Notes to the Editor:

Sony – FIFA Agreement:

Sony’s agreement with FIFA makes it a "FIFA Partner", the highest level of sponsorship status accorded to only six companies. Sony has been chosen to partner FIFA in its "Digital Life" category (covering a wide variety of business activities from entertainment to electronics), and will engage in an array of global marketing and advertising activities at more than 40 FIFA events, including the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups.