Nominees shortlisted for the inaugural FIT Awards 2014 were announced yesterday at a press conference held at the Burj Al Arab hotel in the presence of a host of leaders from the UAE’s fitness and health industry.
Organised by Sport360° in partnership with FitnessLink.me and the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs), the awards aim to recognise excellence and achievements of the health and fitness industry in the UAE.
“We feel at the moment there’s been so much competitiveness, people doing their own things,” said REPs PR and marketing director Catherine Hanson.
“So we wanted to create an event which would bring everyone together, and then also to recognise fitness professionals who go above and beyond what’s required of them – those who take the industry passionately and recognise them for what they’re bringing to the community in the UAE.”
A total of 185 entries from facilities, organisations, initiatives, leaders and individuals in the fitness world were registered across 14 categories – 75 of which have been polled and judged as finalists of their respective categories.
Each of these finalists will now go through a judging process involving over 15 highly professional and experienced industry leaders, the process to be overseen by Deloitte and Touche. The winners will be announced at a gala event on December 12 at Jumeirah Emirates Towers’ Godolphin Ballroom.
“We’re looking to establish a precedence that helps lift standards by having high criteria in the industry,” said FitnessLink.me co-founder Grant Goes.
CEO of The National Health Insurance Company, Daman, sponsors of the awards, Dr Michael Bitzer added: “As the leading health insurance specialist, we work closely with key players in the sports industry across the region to stress the importance of activity as part of a healthy lifestyle.
"At Daman, we think of health holistically and believe a healthy lifestyle comprises both a positive mindset and an active body. The FIT Awards recognise those who have excelled in their fields through determination and dedication, two core elements of a positive mindset. We are delighted to be associated with the awards and applaud all entrants and nominees.”
The nominees announced yesterday are highlighted by the diversity in background as well as the services they offer – something that Sport360° CEO Michael Chalhoub believes is key for the success of the awards.
“The initiative is amazing because it brings people from very different backgrounds and very different ways of doing things together – and that’s the idea behind it,” said Chalhoub.
“Alongside REPs and FitnessLink, we’re bringing those people together to be able to participate, share their experiences and feel as part of one whole big family with the same mission: to get people healthier.”
The Sharjah Ladies Club (SLC) had plenty of reason to celebrate as they bagged four nominations.
“At last,” said an elated Elaine Coronel Superio, fitness manager at SLC. “Finally there’s an organisation that is going to recognise the efforts of all the people from the industry. It’s also good that they’re recognising fitness facilities outside Dubai, because the industry in Dubai is really big.”
Categories open for public voting will be launched tomorrow on sport360.com/fitawards and close on December 1. Tickets for the December 12 gala can be bought from tomorrow by visiting the event website or by contacting REPs, FitnessLink.me or Sport360°.
