Emirates program supports UAE rugby players

Marwa Abdel Aziz Al-Naqbi represents the second tier of UAE’s female Emirati player. She plays with UAE Rugby’s all-Emirati “Al Maha” U19 girls team.
Updated 30 September 2019
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Emirates program supports UAE rugby players

Emirates has presented two Emirati rugby youth players with the opportunity of a lifetime to lead out the teams competing in the bronze final on Nov. 1 in Tokyo Stadium during Rugby World Cup 2019. The initiative is part of the airline’s international flagbearer’s program, which provides opportunities for young fans to lead out teams to the pitch and participate in the pre-kick-off anthem ceremonies across key matches in the quarter-finals, semifinals, the bronze final and the final throughout 12 host cities in Japan.

Saoud Al-Kaabi and Marwa Abdel Aziz Al-Naqbi were unanimously selected by the UAE Rugby Federation board for their exemplary performance and commitment to the game of rugby. Al-Kaabi is currently the only Emirati of his age-group who plays in the “U16 Al-Ain Amblers,” an expatriate domestic-league team.

Al-Naqbi, 15, represents the second tier of UAE’s female Emirati players. She plays with UAE Rugby’s all-Emirati “Al Maha” U19 girls team.

Boutros Boutros, divisional senior vice president corporate communications, marketing & brand, said: “Emirates is committed to growing the game of rugby through grassroots support of local organizations, teams, events and players, ensuring the sport has a strong presence across all communities here in the UAE. We have been a longstanding partner through our support of the UAE Rugby Federation, and will continue to work with them to boost the ongoing development of the game.”


Alfanar Engineering signs MoU with Schneider Electric Saudi Arabia

Updated 02 February 2026
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Alfanar Engineering signs MoU with Schneider Electric Saudi Arabia

Alfanar Engineering Services announced the signing of a strategic MoU with Schneider Electric Saudi Arabia during its participation in the Saudi Arabia Smart Grid Conference. Both Schneider Electric and Alfanar Engineering have committed to further enhancing operational excellence and customer-centric service delivery thereby ensuring long-term asset reliability of their clients in the Kingdom.

Alfanar Engineering brings to the collaboration a strong in-Kingdom service footprint, supported by extensive operations and maintenance capabilities, advanced testing and commissioning equipment, and a network of specialized service centers and labs strategically located across Saudi Arabia. These capabilities enable the delivery of responsive, high-quality technical support tailored to the needs of critical infrastructure and industrial operations. Schneider Electric, with its extensive installed base of energy management and automation solutions, plays a key role in supporting mission-critical facilities and national industries across the Kingdom.

The collaboration was signed by Sattam Al-Motairi, chief operating officer of Alfanar Engineering Services, and Mohamed Shaheen, cluster president — Saudi Arabia, Schneider Electric. It brings together Alfanar’s local operational expertise and service reach with Schneider Electric’s global technologies and service standards. Together, the two companies will enhance service reliability, improve response efficiency, and deliver greater value through sustainable solutions that optimize asset lifecycles. The MoU also supports the development of localized technical services, contributing to the Kingdom’s objectives for sustainable infrastructure, localization, and industrial resilience.

Al-Motairi said: “At Alfanar Engineering Services, we believe that true value is created long after equipment is installed, through reliable service, fast response, and teams that understand the realities of the field. This collaboration with Schneider Electric enables us to enhance the delivery of after-sales services across the Kingdom, combining deep local expertise with world-class technology. Our focus is clear: keeping critical operations running, supporting our customers’ long-term success, and contributing meaningfully to Saudi Arabia’s industrial and infrastructure ambitions.”

Oday Al-Aithan, vice president of field services for Schneider Electric in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Yemen, and Bahrain, said: “At Schneider Electric, we are turning advanced energy management and digital solutions into tangible outcomes through our partnership with Alfanar Engineering Services. By combining our integrated technologies, extensive installed base, and global expertise as a leading energy technology partner with Alfanar’s strong in-Kingdom field services, we deliver smarter, faster, and more reliable solutions that optimize asset performance, accelerate response times, and support resilient, sustainable infrastructure, contributing to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.”