FIH collects the International CreativeĀ Organisation Award at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al MaktoumĀ Creative Sports Award ceremony in DubaiĀ Ā Ā Ā
FIH recognised for commitment to creatingĀ innovative and exciting entertainment events
TheĀ International Hockey Federation (FIH) was named the winnersĀ of the International Creative Organisation Award at theĀ Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports AwardĀ ceremony in Dubai last week.Ā
At the prestigious AwardsĀ ceremony attended by FIH CEO Kelly Fairweather and FIHĀ President Leandro Negre, FIH was recognised for its effortsĀ in putting on the 2014 Rabobank Hockey World Cup in TheĀ Hague, Netherlands.Ā
Both the menās and womenās tournaments wereĀ played simultaneously, and there was also a masters, youthĀ and beach hockey tournament, all coming together in aĀ festival of celebration of the sport. Innovative coverage onĀ television, online and social media ensured that theĀ tournament was the most followed and successful inĀ history.Ā Ā
Highlights included:
Over 260,000 people attended the tournaments
120 hours of coverage was streamed in 190 countries
550,000 fans joined in on Facebook, meaning hockey is theĀ third most followed Olympic sport on FacebookĀ
On receiving the Award, FIH President Leandro Negre said:Ā āThe International Creative Organisation Award is anĀ incredible achievement. It recognizes the hard work andĀ commitment of the hockey world to create innovative andĀ exciting entertainment events which is key to FIHāsĀ ambition ā a global game that inspires the nextĀ generation.Ā I am honoured and immensely proud toĀ accept this Award and I would like to express my thanks toĀ everyone involved in the organization of Mohammed Bin RashidĀ Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award.ā
The event was held over two days and the day before theĀ Award ceremony at a forum, FIH CEO Kelly FairweatherĀ presented the FIH ambition, goals and strategy before goingĀ on to explain how the 2014 Rabobank World Cup exemplifiedĀ achieving these.Ā
His presentation was well-received byĀ the audience who were intrigued by the inclusivity of theĀ events that made up the 2014 Rabobank World Cup whichĀ included people of all ages taking part, with a 50:50 genderĀ balance.
A lively and interactive Q&A session followed with theĀ audience, who were particularly interested in hockey 5s andĀ its potential in the UAE as it is such an accessible sportĀ to all.
Concluding the visit, Kelly and Leandro also met with theĀ UAE Hockey Federation to discuss further growth andĀ promotion of hockey in the region.Ā DiscussionsĀ included the implementation of a five-a-side hockey pitch inĀ Dubai and use of a potential facility for hockey inĀ Dubai.
