The partnership was officially announced at a signing ceremony at the UAE Football Association Headquarters in Dubai, by Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, president, UAE Football Association, Tony Douglas, group CEO, and Mohammad Al Bulooki, chief operating officer, Etihad Aviation Group, as well as the board members of the UAE FA, Mohammed Hazzam Al Dhaheri, the general secretary and a group of media personnel.

 In the multi-year agreement, Etihad Airways will be the official sponsor of the UAE’s national football teams, including the First team, Olympic team, and the Youth teams.

 Al Nuaimi was grateful to the wise leadership of our rulers and their continuous support for sport, stressing that the leadership's backing had led to the UAE being known as “the capital of world sport”, and provided an opportunity for citizens to play a variety of games. It has also resulted in the development of world-class sporting facilities, where UAE institutions have hosted large international events in recent decades.