Good afternoon, Reynald. Please tell me, are you glad that OMEGA became the title sponsor of such a prestigious golf championship?
Of course! OMEGA is one of the recognized leaders in the Swiss watch industry and has traditionally been the title sponsor of many international sports. Over the past few years, we wanted to play a more important role in the competitions held in the UAE and, in particular, in Dubai. And when we were honored to become the title sponsor of the Dubai Desert Classic Golf Tournament, supported only by local companies for 25 years, we realized that we were becoming the first international brand to sponsor such an important international event that is known not only in the region, but and in the world. Dubai Desert Classic has a solid history. This is not just a tournament that began to be held only yesterday and in a new field. Not. This is a tournament that is known and loved in Dubai. Therefore, we held a long series of negotiations, and finally came to a mutually beneficial agreement with the organizers. Yes, we are proud that OMEGA has become the title sponsor, but most importantly, the Dubai side also wanted this and rejoices with us.
Today the tournament is called Omega Desert Classic, and if you pay attention to how it is written, then you will have the full feeling that it was from the very beginning, it makes no difference. This means that the OMEGA logo blends in perfectly with the 26-year history of the tournament in Dubai, which attracts the best players in the world, it is covered by leading media, including major global television channels. And if people associate this class of game and this level of competition with OMEGA, then that's great. That's what we need.
Before this tournament, OMEGA sponsored a women's golf tournament in Dubai, right?
Yes, today we sponsor the Dubai Ladies Master Golf Tournament. For me, women's golf is a very interesting game. Even modern women players do not look like some 15-20 years ago. They have bright and expressive clothes, they are young and ambitious. Therefore, Omega cannot but be proud and not support such a tournament. It attracts a large number of people, both participants and spectators. By the way, golf in Dubai, whether female or male, is always an event, they love this sport here, here you can play golf all year round with family and friends. This is a hobby in the UAE, like skiing in Switzerland or Austria. In Moscow, where golf has just begun to appear and only a few can afford to play it, while the situation is different. Why am I talking about Moscow? Because Omega is an official watch brand of the Moscow Golf Club in Nakhabino.
Being extremely popular in Russia, as well as the official timekeeper of all the Olympics, starting in 1932 in Los Angeles, is OMEGA going to become a “time keeper” in the Olympic Sochi 2014?
Of course, we are already the official timekeepers of the Sochi Olipiada-2014. We have already installed a clock on Red Square, which counts down the time remaining until Sochi 2014. Moreover, in 2010 Olympic Vancouver, I am a guest of the Russian House, as I personally know many athletes and owners of the Bosco Sport brand, the official manufacturer of clothing for Russian Olympians. In addition, our Moscow boutique is located in GUM and "looks" directly at Red Square. Therefore, we cannot stand aside from Sochi-2014, because Russia is one of the most important markets for us.
And I also think that the Olympic Games are an opportunity for all countries to declare themselves loudly and defeat rivals in sports. This is not war, this is sport. But this is excitement and the will to win. And the OMEGA brand is what unites many people today, as they value our commitment to their traditions and their high standards of watchmaking. Our watches are recognizable no matter what year they are released. This allows us to be proud of the continuity of generations. Of course, modern innovations are hidden inside the cases of our watches, but still OMEGA is always OMEGA. And we are familiar with the science of winning.
Thanks, Reynald. We wish you and your colleagues new achievements.
