The Sports Industry Awards returned with a bang as 200 guests packed the W Hotel Great Ball Room for the gala ceremony.
While adhering to strict social distancing rules, guests were greeted by a video message and opening speech from Bassam Nawfal, Managing Director of hosts Sport360X.
Title Partner: TikTok partnered with SPIA
The event, which saw TikTok as the Title Partner, recognised the achievements of individuals, organisations, facilities and campaigns that have contributed to the development of sport in the region. Winners were selected by an independent panel of judges, made up of industry experts chosen for their skills and experience within the Middle East sporting industry, as well as some publicly voted categories voted for by fans.
Ballroom: The event took place at the W Hotel, Palm Jumeirah
Representatives of TikTok presented a special accolade to social media star Walid Yari for the TikTok Sports Creator Award. The night also saw a number of influencers and media personalities in attendance along with those nominated for awards. This was the first time in SPIA’s eight-year-history that a Title Partner has honoured a guest with this special individual award. TikTok has been involved in a number of sporting collaborations over the past twelve months and continued its support of the Middle Eastern sporting community by partnering with SPIA for this year’s ceremony.
As a platform TikTok has grown exponentially in the Middle East and its presence was felt at the gala ceremony with the inclusion of a branded photo wall, giant hanging banners, video announcements and award presentations made by TikTok representatives.
Victorious: Winners posed by the SPIA photo wall
The gala ceremony, held at W Hotel, Palm Jumeirah, saw notable wins for Top Golf in the Best Integrated Sports Marketing Campaign of the Year, the gold award in the Best Live Experience at a Professional Sports Event category went to Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix with Mubadala World Tennis Championship picking up the silver award.
Al Jazira Football Club and TikTok were victorious in the Best Sponsorship Collaboration of the Year award. Ultimate Athletics scooped the top gong in the Best Sports Youth Academy or Organisation of the Year category.
Along with TikTok, SPIA 2021 was being supported by YouGov Sport, a global sports, sponsorship and entertainment research company, working with sports key stakeholders to unlock meaningful, actionable insights, Global Traveler USA as the official media partner and premium shopping experience provider, Ninjoo.
SPIA 2021 Winners
- Best Sports Brand, Retail or Product Activation of the Year
Gold: Ventum Racing Middle East
Silver: Enduro Supply – On Running Middle East
- Best Sports Event Supplier of the Year
Gold: Nielsen Sports Middle East
Silver: 7Production
- Sports Business Leader of the Year
Gold: Fleur Castle
Silver: Mehran Rowshan
Bronze: Michelle Kuehn
- Best E-Sports Campaign of the Year
Gold: Move to Game – Saudi Sports For All Federation/SAFEIS/Vanguard
Silver: Intel Arabian Cup – Riot Games
- Best Recreational Sports Facility of the Year
Gold: Bounce Sports Club
Silver: Basketball Hub Dubai
- Best Sports Event of the Year
Gold: Daman World Triathlon Abu Dhabi
Silver: Mubadala World Tennis Championship
- Best Integrated Sports Marketing Campaign of the Year
Gold: Topgolf Dubai – Dubai Golf
Silver: FC Barcelona Platinum Credit Card – RAKBANK
Bronze: Ladies First – Golf Saudi/Performance54
- Best Sports F&B Venue of the Year
Gold: The Sailors Restaurant
Silver: McGettigan’s
- Best Sports CSR Initiative of the Year
Gold: Ladies First Club – Golf Saudi/Performance54
Silver: Embrace Beirut 5 KM Charity Race – Beirut Marathon Association
Bronze: Gifting Healthcare Frontliners – Skechers
- Best Live Experience at a Professional Sports Event
Gold: Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix
Silver: Mubadala World Tennis Championship
- Best Sports Brand of the Year
New Balance
Reebok
- Best Sponsorship Collaboration of the Year
Gold: Al Jazira Football Club/TikTok
Silver: Al Masaood Group/Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi
Bronze: New Balance/Ultimate Athletics
- Best Sports Youth Academy or Organisation of the Year
Gold: Ultimate Athletics
Silver: Zayed Sports City Academy
Bronze: LaLiga Academy
- Best Youth Development Project of the Year
Mubadala Tennis in Schools – Zayed Sports City
ADNOC Yas in Schools – Yas Marina Circuit
- Best Sports Event Organiser of the Year
High 5 Events
Twedex
- Best E-Sports Tournament of the Year
eUAEPL – Zawaya Gaming
Intel Arabian Cup Season 1: League of Legends – Riot Games
- Sports Media Personality of the Year
Mohammed Awaad
Charbel Krayem
Nathalie Mamo
- The TikTok Award for Sports Creator
Walid Yari