H.E. Sheikh Dr. Khaled bin Thani: The agreement reflects QIIB’s continued commitment to supporting sports and promoting its role

H.E. Sheikh Jassim bin Thamer: QIIB is one of Qatar’s leading institutions in advancing the nation’s sporting journey

Doha, 6 January 2026

 As part of its ongoing strategy to support Qatari sports and build strong, long-term partnerships, QIIB has signed a sponsorship agreement with Al-Gharafa SC. Under the agreement, QIIB will be the club’s official sponsor for the 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 football seasons. The partnership reflects the close and successful relationship between the two sides and highlights QIIB’s active role in supporting clubs, national teams, and major sporting events in Qatar.

The agreement was signed at QIIB’s headquarters on Grand Hamad Street, during a ceremony attended by senior representatives from both sides. Signing on behalf of QIIB was H.E. Sheikh Dr. Khaled bin Thani bin Abdulla Al Thani, Chairman of the Board, while H.E. Sheikh Jassim bin Thamer Al Thani, Club President, signed on behalf of Al-Gharafa SC. The signing ceremony was attended by Dr. Abdulbasit Ahmed Al Shaibei, CEO of QIIB; H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani, Head of Football at Al-Gharafa; Mr. Rashid Issa Al Dossary, General Manager of the Club; along with several senior officials from both parties.

This agreement reflects QIIB’s continued commitment to supporting Qatari sports and building strong national partnerships with leading clubs, including Al-Gharafa SC, one of the country’s most prominent and influential teams. With a proud history, strong presence in local and regional competitions, and a wide, loyal fan base, Al-Gharafa SC remains a key name in Qatar’s sporting landscape.

Under the agreement, QIIB will serve as the official sponsor of Al-Gharafa SC for the 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 football seasons. The sponsorship will include the Bank’s presence across the club’s various platforms, support for its sports and media programs, and contributions to strengthening the club’s professional environment, all aimed at enhancing team performance and helping the club achieve its competitive and fan-driven ambitions, in line with its future vision and goals.

Commenting on the occasion, H.E. Sheikh Dr. Khaled bin Thani bin Abdulla Al Thani, Chairman of QIIB, stated: "We are pleased to sign a new sponsorship agreement with Al-Gharafa SC, a distinguished club that holds a special place in the history of Qatari sports and boasts a proud sporting legacy and a loyal fan base that we all take pride in. This sponsorship reflects QIIB’s continued commitment to supporting national sports clubs and our firm belief in the vital role of sports in personal development, fostering national pride, and keeping pace with the comprehensive progress taking place in Qatar under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the State”.

He further added: “It is worth noting that this is not QIIB’s first sponsorship of Al-Gharafa SC. The Bank has supported the club across several football seasons in the past, a successful and valued partnership that we take great pride in. It laid the foundation for a relationship built on trust, mutual respect, and true collaboration. Renewing this partnership today reflects our deep appreciation for Al-Gharafa’s rich legacy, its prominent role in Qatari football, and its continued influence on the national sports landscape”.

H.E. Sheikh Dr. Khaled bin Thani bin Abdulla Al Thani emphasized that QIIB’s support for sports is part of a broader, integrated sponsorship strategy. “At the heart of this strategy is our sponsorship of Qatar’s national football teams and our three-year sponsorship of the prestigious Amir Cup, in addition to our support for a number of national and international sporting events. This reflects our commitment to contributing to the remarkable progress of Qatari sports across all fields and keeping pace with Qatar’s rise as a leading global sports hub”.

For his part, H.E. Sheikh Jassim bin Thamer Al Thani, President of Al-Gharafa SC, confirmed that Qatar’s remarkable sporting progress and its global recognition are the result of the country’s outstanding success in hosting major international events. “Thanks to the generous patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar and His unwavering commitment to advancing Qatari sports, our country has rightfully earned its place as the sporting capital of the Middle East”.

He added: “From our perspective, QIIB’s sponsorship is more than just support, it reflects a shared vision and deep alignment with the national direction set by His Highness the Amir. This is exactly what we’ve come to expect from QIIB, a leading Qatari institution with a strong and proven commitment to sports. The Bank’s ongoing partnerships with clubs and federations across the country stand as a model for meaningful, long-term collaboration in the sporting sector”.

He continued: “I’m confident that this sponsorship will deliver meaningful results for both sides, especially given Al-Gharafa’s strong standing in Qatari and Asian football, its proud history of achievements, and its large and loyal fan base. In recent years, the Club has remained a serious contender for domestic titles, earned back-to-back appearances in Asia’s elite competitions, and most recently, won the prestigious Amir Cup. Our current position at the top of the league table is further proof of our momentum, and we hope that this progress will inspire more Qatari institutions and sponsors to follow QIIB’s example in supporting national sports”.

H.E. Sheikh Jassim bin Thamer Al Thani concluded his remarks by saying: “We are confident that this sponsorship will bring mutual benefit to both parties. Finally, I would like to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to H.E. Dr. Khaled bin Thani bin Abdulla Al Thani Chairman of the Board, and to all members of QIIB’s Board of Directors. I wish them and QIIB continued success, growth, and lasting contributions to the Qatari community across all fields”.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Abdulbasit Ahmed Al Shaibei, CEO of QIIB, stated: “QIIB’s sponsorship of Al Gharafa SC for the 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 football seasons reflects the Bank’s ongoing commitment to supporting national sports. We see sports as a key driver of community development and a powerful platform for promoting positive values such as teamwork, discipline, and ambition”.

He added: “At QIIB, we are committed to forming partnerships that deliver real, lasting impact, both in sports and within the broader community. We believe that supporting established national clubs like Al-Gharafa SC contributes to building a strong, achievement-driven sports ecosystem. This sponsorship also aligns with our institutional direction and the Third Financial Sector Strategy launched by Qatar Central Bank, which emphasizes governance, sustainability, and social responsibility, all key pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030”.

H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim bin Thamer Al Thani, Head of Football at Al-Gharafa SC, expressed his full satisfaction with the signing of the sponsorship agreement, stating: “We are very pleased with this partnership, which brings together two respected names with strong standing in Qatari society. QIIB, in particular, holds significant economic weight as a leading institution with a well-established role in the national banking sector”.

He added: He added: “This sponsorship is a natural extension of QIIB’s commitment to national engagement. We believe it also strengthens the social role of both parties, as we remain united by a shared goal: to contribute, each in our own way, to the continued progress and prosperity of the people of Qatar. We value this sponsorship, which reflects the strong relationship between QIIB and Al Gharafa SC. It also reaffirms the Club’s standing within Qatar’s sporting landscape. We hope this partnership paves the way for further collaboration in the future and delivers positive outcomes for both sides. More importantly, we hope it serves as a model for effective, purpose-driven cooperation that benefits the wider community”.

This agreement highlights the strong relationship between QIIB and Al Gharafa SC and reflects the shared commitment of both parties to strengthening collaboration in a way that supports the Club’s development, meets the expectations of its fans, and contributes to the ongoing success of Qatari sports both locally and internationally.

QIIB is one of the most active Qatari banks in the sports sector, playing a key role in supporting national athletics through a range of strategic sponsorships. These include its sponsorship of the national football teams and a three-year partnership with the Amir Cup, in addition to its support for several major tournaments and sporting events. This reflects the Bank’s strong commitment to social responsibility and its continued support for the advancement of sports in Qatar.