In observance of the International White Cane Day and within, the Bank’s celebrations of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™
Doha, 15 October 2022 – QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, together with the Qatar Social and Cultural Center for Blind (QSCCB), organized QNB's “Goalball for the blind” tournament – an initiative to promote access to the practice of football for blind and visually impaired people in Qatar.
The event, which took place at the headquarters of the Qatar Sports Federation for Special Needs, was organized to mark the International White Cane Day and falls within the Bank’s ongoing activities as the Official Middle East and Africa Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2022™.
Organizing this initiative is in line with QNB's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, a cornerstone to the Bank's strategy to promote inclusion and increase the self-support, mobility and social participation of people with visual limitations so they will be capable of making their own way with no obstacles towards achieving their goals.
Ms. Heba Ali Al-Tamimi, General Manager of QNB Group Communications, said: “International White Cane Day is our way of celebrating those in our communities with blindness or visual impairment and raise awareness on their rights in an inclusive society.
As an official supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2022™ in the Middle East and Africa, we are delighted to organize this tournament in cooperation with the Qatar Social and Cultural Center for Blind and with the support of the Qatar Sports Federation for Special Needs.
This initiative reflects our belief that access to sport is a fundamental right for all as we look forward to welcoming the world for an historic edition of the FIFA World Cup 2022™.”
Mr. Faisal Al-Kohaji, QSCCB Chairman, said: “We are proud of this new partnership with QNB to mark the International White Cane Day. Such events provide motivation and determination to blind and vision impaired people by engaging them in activities aimed at promoting their social interaction and inclusion. Blind and partially sighted people can fully exploit their capacities. They are particularly vital for the delivery of a successful FIFA World Cup 2022™.”
Mr. Amir Al Mulla, Director Executive of the Qatar Sports Federation for Special Needs, expressed his happiness to join forces with QNB Group to promote the sport of goalball for the blind, in conjunction with the International White Cane Day.
“We have developed a strong track record in the sport of people with special needs at the Arab level. Qatar’s national goalball team is among the strongest teams in GCC countries and West Asia, and we look forward for new partnerships with QNB Group.”
QNB Group, currently ranked as the most valuable bank brand in the Middle East and Africa, is proud to be the Official Middle East and Africa Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2022™
Through its subsidiaries and associate companies, the Group extends to more than 30 countries across three continents providing a comprehensive range of advanced products and services. The total number of employees is 27,000 operating through 1000 locations, with an ATM network of more than 4,700 machines.