Qatar Airways and Rio Ferdinand Launch ‘Qatar Airways United’ Youth Initiative
Qatar Airways has launched ‘Qatar Airways United’, a social development initiative in partnership with footballer Rio Ferdinand. This initiative connects Ferdinand with Qatar Airways’ sports partners to create community opportunities that foster confidence and ambition among young people.
The program started in collaboration with Inter Milan during the Milan Derby at San Siro Stadium on November 23, 2025. Through this partnership, children with visual disabilities were able to attend the match and interact with Inter players, with support from the local social responsibility organization, Real Eyes Sport. Inter Vice President Javier Zanetti also took part, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and support for underserved youth.
Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “Sport can open doors for young people from all backgrounds. We support programmes like this that use sport to connect and engage youth, equipping them with skills to pursue their goals.”
Rio Ferdinand added: “Sport shaped my experiences and provided opportunities to explore the world. Through Qatar Airways United, I want young people to develop confidence and ambition and see how sport can create pathways to new experiences.”
Upcoming Qatar Airways United programmes include experiences at the Formula 1® Qatar Airways Grand Prix (28–30 November 2025), the French Championship Paris Saint-Germain vs Marseille match in Paris (February 2026), the UEFA Champions League Final in Budapest (May 2026), and the FIFA World Cup 26™ Final in New York (July 2026). Young people from host cities will engage with Ferdinand and participate in activities that demonstrate the values of sport.
Content from the programme will be shared on Ferdinand’s YouTube channel, @rioferdinandpresents, Qatar Airways’ YouTube channel, @qatarairways, and on Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment platform, Oryx One.
Qatar Airways’ sports partnerships include FIFA, UEFA Champions League, Formula 1®, Paris Saint-Germain, FC Internazionale Milano, AFC, Novak Djokovic, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), MotoGP, IRONMAN Triathlon Series, French Rugby Team – Section Paloise, Brooklyn Nets NBA Team, and other disciplines including Australian football, equestrian, motor racing, padel, squash, and tennis.
As Senior Correspondent and Editor at Safari India, I write about the people, businesses, and trends shaping the travel, tourism, hospitality, aviation, and lifestyle industries. My work ranges from breaking news and exclusive interviews to in-depth features and industry analysis, with a focus on delivering accurate, balanced, and engaging stories. I enjoy uncovering the details behind every story and presenting them in a way that keeps readers informed and connected to an ever-evolving industry.
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