SPIA 2021 winners crowed at gala ceremony at W Hotel, Palm Jumeirah

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