The Sports Industry Awards returned with energy last night as 200 guests filled the W Hotel’s Great Ballroom for a formal gala. Organised by Sport360X, the ceremony followed strict social distancing protocols and opened with a video message and speech from Bassam Nawfal, managing director of the host organisation.
With TikTok as the title partner, the awards celebrated individuals, organisations, facilities and campaigns that have advanced sport across the region. Winners were chosen by an independent panel of industry experts with deep experience in Middle Eastern sport, alongside several fan-voted categories decided by public ballot.
Representatives from TikTok presented a special accolade to social media creator Walid Yari, who received the TikTok Sports Creator Award. The event also welcomed influencers, media personalities and nominees across categories. This marked the first time in SPIA’s eight-year history that a title partner presented an individual award of this kind. Over the past year TikTok has engaged in multiple sporting collaborations and extended its support for the regional sports community by partnering with SPIA for this edition of the ceremony.
TikTok’s presence was visible throughout the gala, including a branded photo wall, large suspended banners, video announcements and on-stage presentations by TikTok representatives, reflecting the platform’s rapid growth in the Middle East.
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The ceremony, hosted at the W Hotel on Palm Jumeirah, handed notable awards across many categories. Topgolf won Best Integrated Sports Marketing Campaign of the Year, while the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix earned gold in Best Live Experience at a Professional Sports Event and the Mubadala World Tennis Championship took silver.
Al Jazira Football Club and TikTok were named winners of Best Sponsorship Collaboration of the Year. Ultimate Athletics received the top honour for Best Sports Youth Academy or Organisation of the Year.
Alongside TikTok, SPIA 2021 was supported by YouGov Sport, offering sports and sponsorship research and insights; Global Traveler as the official media partner; and Ninjoo providing premium shopping experiences for guests.
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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
Gold: New Balance
Silver: 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
Gold: Mubadala Tennis in Schools – Zayed Sports City
Silver: ADNOC Yas in Schools – Yas Marina Circuit - Best Sports Event Organiser of the Year
Gold: High 5 Events
Silver: Twedex - Best E-Sports Tournament of the Year
Gold: eUAEPL – Zawaya Gaming
Silver: Intel Arabian Cup Season 1: League of Legends – Riot Games - Sports Media Personality of the Year
Gold: Mohammed Awaad
Silver: Charbel Krayem
Bronze: Nathalie Mamo - The TikTok Award for Sports Creator
Walid Yari