Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) has announced it will act as a strategic sponsor for the first ever UAE Ski and Snowboard Championship.

The competition, which take place on December 8 and 9, will be held at Ski Dubai at the Mall of the Emirates and is expected to become an annual event.

More than 200 skiers and snowboarders are expected to participate, with the UAE’s first snow sports team set to compete in the multi-disciplinary championship.

Empower CEO Ahmad bin Shafar confirmed the partnership,

He said: “Supporting local athletes is at the heart of Empower’s corporate social responsibility to strengthen the country’s efforts at developing sports talents in the country to become globally competitive at all levels.

“We are proud to be part of this prestigious event, which is another new achievement for Dubai and the UAE as an international sporting destination.

“It also supports key growth sectors in the UAE economy such as leisure, retail and tourism.”

The UAE Ski and Snowboard Championship will be organised under the patronage of Dubai Police, the Community Sport Initiative of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum in association with the Dubai Sports Council, UAE Olympic Committee, and UAE Ice Sports Federation.