Fathy: Vodafone becomes part of Al Ahly's history and future

Al Ahly Football Company chairman Ayman Fathy thanked Youth and Sports Minister Gohar Nabil and club president Mahmoud El Khatib for their continued support of the company's investment strategy aimed at developing the club's football business and increasing its revenues.

Fathy made the remarks during a ceremony held on Monday at the Giza Pyramids, attended by Al Ahly's board of directors headed by El Khatib, where the club signed what it described as the largest sports investment agreement in the Middle East with Vodafone.

The deal covers the naming rights to Al Ahly Stadium as well as a sponsorship agreement.

Fathy also thanked Vodafone for its professionalism and transparency throughout the negotiations, saying Al Ahly's status as one of the region's biggest clubs, backed by millions of supporters, continues to attract leading commercial partners.

"When Al Ahly signs sponsorship agreements, we always look for a partner that shares our ambition and vision and can add value to the club," Fathy said.

"Vodafone represents exactly that and has become part of Al Ahly's history and future."

He added that competition in football now extends beyond the pitch to commercial partnerships, noting that the agreement with Vodafone, Al Ahly's principal sponsor, covers a broad range of commercial rights and required extensive work.

Fathy thanked Al Ahly Football Company chief executive Nayera Ali, legal adviser Shady El Barqouqi, who oversaw the legal aspects of the agreement, and the company's staff for their efforts in finalising the deal.