Rain fails to dampen the spirit at SPIAs 2014

Sport360 staff 12:21 02/04/2014
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  • Celebration time: Guests enjoy the SPIAs which was a great success despite the stormy weather.

    On yet another resplendent night that is fast becoming the most anticipated event of the year for the entire sports industry in the Middle East, the second edition of Sport360°’s SPIAs was held at the Asateer Tents at the Atlantis.

    Numbers rarely do justice to the achievements and importance of an event, but some of them need to be pointed out to show why the SPIAs were such a massive success in only its second year.

    In the 12 categories, 173 entries were received. More importantly, despite the heavy rain that lashed Dubai that day, and forced a change of venue from the One & Only Royal Mirage less than seven hours before the start of the function, a full house of 481 guests attended the gala.

    Michael Chalhoub, CEO and Founder, Sport360°, captured the feeling of the entire industry when he said: “The presence of almost every single person who signed up for the event, despite the thunderstorms, despite the change of venue and despite the distance some travelled from abroad, speaks of the importance of sports for our region.

    “Our region has succeeded in attracting elite athletes and events to some of the finest facilities the world has ever seen. It is now synonymous with sporting excellence. This region thrives in bringing new ideas, even those that may seem impossible at first, to life.

    “Beyond the fireworks and the grandiose events, there is a myriad of dedicated people working hand in hand and at all hours of the day and night to bring, offer and show us the best of the best.

    “Those are the people we hope to reward with the SPIAs and put the spotlight on those who are the backbone of every major sporting endeavour in the region.”

    Greg Sproule, managing director of IMG Middle East, who called SPIAs “the Academy Awards for the industry in the region”, said: “It’s interesting because ours is nota position to celebrate. Our job is to showcase our sponsors and let other people take the credit. It’s never about IMG. So, it’s unusual to be recognised in this manner… and that’s what so enjoyable about the SPIAs. It’s really a night of celebration for the whole industry.”

    Donal Kilalea, CEO of Promoseven, added: “I think it’s a great initiative and what it has done is driven excellence in sporting events. It helps us push, whether we like to admit it or not, we all want to do well and this is a recognition of all the hard work.”

    Among the many corporate giants sponsoring sporting events in the region, HSBC, Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways and adidas were big winners, with HSBC walking away with Gold for Best Sport Sponsorship (Dubai Rugby Sevens) and silver in the same category (Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship) and the Gold for the Best Sport Event – Professional (AbuDhabi HSBC Golf Championship).

    Emirates Airlines won the brand new and the much coveted award of the night – the Best Sport CSR Initiative – for their Emirates Returns Programme, while Etihad’s Gold was also related to something that touched the life of many – the Best Sport Event (Amateurs) – for their massively successful Etihad Airways Junior Rugby event. Adidas was adjudged the Best Sport Brand.

    Among repeat Gold winners this year were IMG (Best Sport Agency), adidas (Best Sport Brand), Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship (Best Sport Event – Professional), Zayed Sports City (Best Sport and Recreational Facility) and Adventure HQ (Best Sport Retail Outlet).

    A first for this year for SPIA was the two-hour telecast of the ceremony on Dubai TV, which was complemented with three-hour live broadcast of the event on Dubai Eye 103.8.

    The 2014 SPIAs was sponsored by Emirates Airlines, Al Mana Fashion Group-Go Sport, Emirates NBD, Suunto, Lacoste, Salomon, Dubai Sports World-DWTC, Masar, Thanyapura Phuket, Replay, MMC Sportz, AVID, Dubai Sports Channel, Deloitte, Dubai Eye, Mediaquest, and Dubai Sports Council

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