FOOTBALL - THE National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has become the official sponsor of the Under-21 Youth Football League for the 2024-25 season.
The sponsorship was announced during a launch ceremony held last night, which was attended by Bahrain Football Association (BFA) vice-president Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Isa Al Khalifa, BFA members, NBB officials, and notable figures from the sports fraternity and media representatives.
As part of the sponsorship, the league has been rebranded as the NBB Football League U21.
This season will feature 21 participating clubs and will offer substantial financial rewards, including $15,000 for the champion team, $10,000 for the runner-up, $2,000 for the best player, and $1,000 each for the top scorer and best goalkeeper.
Additionally, the bank will provide match kits for all teams.
Further prize announcements will also be made in the coming days to motivate players to perform at their best on the field.
Speaking on the occasion, NBB chief corporate communications officer Hisham Abu Alfateh stated: “We are proud to sponsor one of the kingdom’s most important tournaments that serves as a vital platform for emerging football talent in the country.
“Our collaboration with the Bahrain Football Association underscores our dedication to fostering the next generation of athletes who will carry our nation’s aspirations onto the global stage.
“We are committed to supporting initiatives that elevate the level of competition and contribute to realising our long-held dream of seeing Bahrain advance to the World Cup.”
In turn, BFA president Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa expressed his appreciation to NBB for sponsoring the under-21 league, praising the bank’s efforts in supporting the association’s developmental initiatives.
He commended the support of the NBB board of directors, noting that the sponsorship reflects the successful partnership between the BFA and NBB, which enhances the goals aimed at supporting age groups that are a fundamental building block and a primary source for senior national teams and clubs.
He pointed out that the sponsorship will contribute to providing the necessary conditions for the organisational success of the competition, giving it a high competitive edge amidst an atmosphere of excitement and anticipated rivalry.
The NBB Football League U21 will kick off tomorrow with the opening match set between Muharraq and East Riffa at Al Ahli Club Stadium.
Matches will be held across various cities and villages of the kingdom, culminating in the championship final in April of 2025.
NBB’s sponsorship of the league reflects its focus on supporting youth development across various sectors, including sports.
Through this strategic partnership with the BFA, the bank aims to help create a renewed environment for discovering and nurturing promising talent, and ultimately contribute to the growth of the sport in the kingdom.
NBB and BFA officials with players from each participating club
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