Commercial Bank CHI AL SHAQAB Presented By Longines Offers Dazzling Mix Of Equestrian Sport & Entertainment

​Doha, 23 February 2022 – The magnificent Longines Arena at Al Shaqab, a member of Qatar Foundation, is all set and ready to welcome the world's top riders and horses, when Commercial Bank CHI AL SHAQAB Presented by Longines 2022 gets underway from the 24^th to the 26^th of February.

A star-studded contingent of 98 riders from 24 countries, and 150 elite competition horses from around the globe, has already touched down in Doha – primed to dazzle and impress the crowds as they compete for glory in Al Shaqab's signature event, which will be organized for the ninth time at Qatar's iconic equestrian destination. 

The much-anticipated international equestrian event will provide equestrian sport lovers with a unique opportunity to be a part of the strongest and only championship of its kind in the Middle East and Asia region, as they witness three days of unparalleled action and entertainment unfold in the Olympic disciplines of showjumping, dressage, and para dressage. 

At a press conference held at Al Shaqab on February 22 to officially launch this year's event, Omar Al Mannai, Event Director, Commercial Bank CHI AL SHAQAB Presented by Longines, and Commercial Manager, Al Shaqab, said: “Once again, Al Shaqab is delighted to welcome the world's best riders and horses to Qatar. They love the amazing facilities, training conditions and competition set-up here, and it shows in the number of champion riders who keep returning for CHI AL SHAQAB." 

This year's rider's list is filled with the names of the biggest stars in equestrian sport. Sweden's Peder Fredricson, ranked world number one in the latest FEI Longines Jumping Rankings, headlines the event entries. Last year's five-star Grand Prix winner, Germany's Christian Ahlmann, returns in the hunt for further top honors, and will be joined by a host of CHI AL SHAQAB champions and top-ranked riders, including Great Britain's Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Ben Maher, Australia's Edwina Tops-Alexander (Australia), and Belgium's Pieter Devos. Flying the flag for Qatar will be Wejdan Majed Al Malki, who will be participating in the dressage category. 

Al Mannai said: “To be able to see the top athletes compete in a truly world-class competition is an incredible opportunity for the equestrian community here in Qatar, and for sport lovers in general. It has been tremendously encouraging, and satisfying, to note the event grow bigger and better with every passing year, regardless of the challenges faced. 

“This is a credit to everyone involved with Commercial Bank CHI AL SHAQAB Presented by Longines, including the participants, fans, Organizing Committee and other team members. Special mention must go to the event sponsors, who have shown their commitment towards supporting equestrian sport in Qatar." 

Commercial Bank is the Title Sponsor, Longines is the Presenting Partner, and ExxonMobil Qatar is the Main Sponsor. 

Joseph Abraham, Group CEO, Commercial Bank, said: “Commercial Bank is pleased to play its part in Qatar's sporting success story and to support Qatar's national vision of being a world-class sports hub through its sponsorship of this premier equestrian competition." 

Hussein Ali Al-Abdulla, EGM & Chief Marketing Officer, Commercial Bank, said: “I'm delighted that Commercial Bank will once again be the Title Sponsor of CHI AL SHAQAB. We're looking forward to being a part of a truly exceptional equestrian competition. Commercial Bank appreciates the importance of sports in the social and economic development of Qatar, and is committed to supporting Qatar's vision to be an international sporting hub." 

Saleh Al Mana, Vice President and Director of Government and Public Affairs, ExxonMobil Qatar, said: “ExxonMobil Qatar is pleased to be sponsoring CHI AL SHAQAB for yet another year. In accordance with the human development pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030, and in line with the ExxonMobil's commitment to educational development, the organization is also pleased to support Al Shaqab's equine education programs, which aim to provide an engaging learning environment for aspiring riders." 

Al Shaqab is also proud of its long-term association with Longines, which is the Presenting Partner of CHI AL SHAQAB. 

Al Mannai said: “This relationship is underscored by the name of the competition venue, with the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab representing the perfect location for the world's best riders and horses to come together and compete for the ultimate honor of being crowned a champion at CHI AL SHAQAB." 

ENDS

​Al Shaqab – A World-Class Facility

Since its establishment in 1992, Al Shaqab's vision was to build on Qatar's Arabian horse heritage and be a leading global center for equine professionals, while providing an engaging experience for the community. Global leadership has not only meant preserving, improving, and promoting the Arabian horse breed, but also encouraging the community in this unique, traditional cultural sport. 

Today, Al Shaqab's impressive facilities, which are distinctively designed in the shape of a horseshoe, cover 980,000 square meters. With a state-of-the-art Main Arena comprising both an indoor and outdoor venue capable of holding over 5,000 spectators, Al Shaqab is part of Qatar's growing reputation on the world stage that showcases its ability to host major international sports event at the highest level.

For further details please visit www.alshaqab.com

Qatar Foundation – Unlocking Human Potential

Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) is a non-profit organization that supports Qatar on its journey to becoming a diversified and sustainable economy. QF strives to serve the people of Qatar and beyond by providing specialized programs across its innovation-focused ecosystem of education, research and development, and community development. 

QF was founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Amir, and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who shared the vision to provide Qatar with quality education. Today, QF's world-class education system offers lifelong learning opportunities to community members as young as six months through to doctoral level, enabling graduates to thrive in a global environment and contribute to the nation's development. 

QF is also creating a multidisciplinary innovation hub in Qatar, where homegrown researchers are working to address local and global challenges. By promoting a culture of lifelong learning and fostering social engagement through programs that embody Qatari culture, QF is committed to empowering the local community and contributing to a better world for all. 

For a complete list of QF's initiatives and projects, please visit: www.qf.org.qa

For any media inquiries, please contact: pressoffice@qf.org.qa 

Commercial Bank – Leading the digital era in Qatar

The Commercial Bank is Qatar's first private bank, with a solid franchise of over 46 years of innovation and customer service. Its countrywide network includes 30 branches, 173 ATMs and 8 instanat cheque book printing machines and 5 self-service card printing machines. The Commercial Bank is committed to helping support the development of Qatar's economy and future sustainability in line with the goals of the economic pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030. The Bank's vision is to be 'The Best Bank in Qatar' based on the foundation of its values or 5 C'S. Corporate Earnings Quality, Client Experience, Creativity and Innovation, Culture, and Compliance. 

The Commercial Bank has total assets of QAR 165.5 billion (circa TRY 612,9 billion), customer deposits of QAR 82.0 billion (circa TRY 303.6 billion) and has achieved net profit of QAR 2,304.3 million (circa TRY 5.5 billion) as at 31 December 2021. 

As a full service commercial bank, the Bank offers a full range of corporate, retail and investment banking services as well as owning and operating the exclusive Diners Club franchise in Qatar. 

The Commercial Bank enjoys strong credit ratings of (A3) from Moody's, (A) from Fitch, and (BBB+) from Standard & Poor's. The Bank is listed on the Qatar Exchange and was the first Qatari bank to list its Global Depository Receipts (GDRs) on the London Stock Exchange. 

In 2021, the Bank was recognized as the “Best Bank" in Qatar by Global Finance and Euromoney, and as the “Best Digital Bank" in Qatar by Asiamoney. Additionally, Commercial Bank has received the "Best Cash Management" award in Qatar for the sixth year in a row, "Best Transaction Bank" award in Qatar for the third year in a row and the "Best Social Media Engagement Award" in the Middle East from the Asian Banker. Also, the Bank was recognized on a global level as the “Best in Social Media Marketing & Services" in the World by Global Finance. Global Finance international magazine has awarded the Bank with a number of prestigious awards in recognition of its outstanding performance in Qatar in the following categories: “Best Mobile Banking App", “Best Information Security and Fraud Management", “Best in Social Media Marketing & Services", “Best Trade Finance Services", in addition to the “Best Mobile Banking App" award in the Middle East for Corporate. International Finance magazine has recognized the Bank as the “Most Innovative Customer Service Bank" and the “Most Innovative Mobile Trading Application" in Qatar. Commercial Bank also achieved the LinkedIn's ranking: 5^th on the list of “Top 10 best workplaces to grow your career in Qatar in 2021", and the Bank's CFO has received the Finance Monthly Magazine's CFO Award for the second year in a row.

For further details please visit www.cbq.qa