Middle East

Airport retailer Dubai Duty Free has agreed a deal to serve as a title sponsor for this year’s edition of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) men’s U-23 World Championship national team tournament.

Dubai-based airline Emirates has agreed a three-year commercial partnership with the Arabian Gulf League club football competition.

Chinese consumer electronics manufacturer Hisense has agreed a sponsorship deal with Israeli Premier League football club Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Port operator DP World has extended its title sponsorship of the European Tour’s end-of-season golf tournament in Dubai.

Spanish Liga football club Barcelona has agreed a regional sponsorship deal with fitness centre chain Fitness Time in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Qatar Airways has signed a renewed agreement with the Qatar Football Association to become the official airline of the Emir Cup club football competition, along with extending its backing of the national team.

Tyre manufacturer Maxxis has struck a deal to become an official sponsor of football’s 2015 Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) Club Cup.

White goods manufacturer Beko is considering its long-term sponsorship strategy after its Barcelona deal showed good results.

Swiss watchmaker Swatch last month signed a deal with the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and its promoter Beach Major Company to return to the sport as the title sponsor of the Beach Volleyball Major Series in 2015.

Bernie Ecclestone has told Sports Sponsorship Insider that Formula One Management, the motorsport’s commercial rights-holder, has not failed in its efforts to sell title sponsorships to its Formula One Grands Prix this season.

The Scuderia Ferrari and Red Bull Racing teams continue to lead the Formula One pack in sponsorship, in spite of the Mercedes’ dominance of the 2014 Championship.

Qatari telecommunications company Ooredoo has signed an extension to its partnership agreement with the Qatar Football Association.

Audio equipment manufacturer Jabra is looking to authenticate itself in the sports fitness space and reach key business decision-makers through its partnerships.

Japanese printing and technology brand Epson, this month, signed a three-year Official Team Partner deal, from 2015 to 2017, with the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team.

Printing and technology brand Epson sponsors two major football properties, including English Premier League giants Manchester United, that “provide the strategic and geographical coverage the brand requires from its portfolio”.

Online trading and investment bank, Saxo Bank, has extended its partnership with the Lotus Formula One team for another year, rising in value if it takes up additional on-car branding options at the Monaco Grand Prix.