UAE-based telecommunications operator Etisalat has reached an agreement with Fifa to become an official national supporter of the 2013 Under-17 World Cup.
The 24-nation tournament will be hosted by the UAE and kicks off in Abu Dhabi on October 17.
Last month, Etisalat entered into a three-year commercial agreement with the UAE Football Association to become an official partner of the governing body and sponsor of its national team and the President’s Cup club tournament.
These deals build on Etisalat’s already established football presence.
In February this year it upgraded its deal as a regional partner to Barcelona in the UAE and a number of African countries for a further four-and-a-half years having initially partnered with the Spanish Liga champion in 2009 – the same year it became a global partner to English Premier League team Manchester City.
Etisalat is City’s exclusive telecommunications partner in its operating countries.