Entries are pouring in thick and fast from all corners of the region to become a part of the 2016 SportsIndustry Awards (SPIAs) presented by Cadillac, ahead of the final submission deadline of on Tuesday.

First held in 2012, the SPIAs have become the most definitive awards night in the Middle East. The fourth edition will be held on Wednesday, March 23, at JW Marriott Marquis. Awards will be given in 14 different categories, including two new ones – Sports Youth Academy or Organisation of the Year and Sports Brand, Retail or Product Activation of the Year.

Mark Kar, Development Director, Sport360, said the new categories have attracted a lot of attention.

“The most number of entries submitted so far is for the Sports Youth Academy or Organisation of the Year. There are many worldclass sporting academies in the UAE and other Middle Eastern countries and I am sure the judges are going to have a tough time with this category,” said Kar.

Each submission will go through a rigid and transparent judging process, overseen by a judging panel and facilitated by Deloitte and Touche.

The shortlisted finalists will be revealed at a press conference.

The 2016 SPIAs are sponsored by Emirates, Lacoste and Dubai Sports City, and is being held in association with Dubai Sports Council.

Table bookings for the awards night will be made available soon. Rates range from $330 for a single seat to $4,500 for a table of 10 in the VIP section.

All past editions of SPIAs have been sold out.

For details, contact Lawrence Harradine at spia@sport360.com or call +971558217373.