NBA presented with Gold and Bronze Awards at SPIA Asia 2018 Awards Gala

BANGKOK, Thailand – Sports industry professionals from around the world walked the 2018 SPIA Asia – Asia’s Sports Industry Awards & Conference red carpet (20th November) and at the Awards Gala attended by more than 400 VIPs, federations, rights holders, agencies and brands, which announced Gold, Silver and Bronze winners in 20 award categories. Organized by MMC Sportz, 47 countries are eligible to enter the awards and this fourth edition of SPIA Asia has proven to be the most competitive yet.

The NBA was recognized for its various initiatives to promote basketball including youth development programs, media and marketing partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region, which garnered the Gold award for the Best Sports Organization Operating in Asia. Established as a key priority, Jr. NBA Asia received the Bronze award in the Best Sports Youth Development Program of the Year category for its comprehensive digital marketing campaigns, partnerships, and on-ground activations.

“The standard of entries has gotten better every year and this truly reflects the strength and depth in Asia's sports industry. We have seen professionally operated independent events and organizations alongside some of the biggest brands in the industry, and this is very encouraging for everyone in sports in Asia,” said Mr. Eric M. Gottschalk, CEO of MMC Sportz, organizer of SPIA Asia – Asia's Sports Industry Awards & Conference.

“We received more than 400 submissions this year and I'd like to congratulate all entrants and the Top 10 Finalists in each category for their professionalism and high calibre. After an in-depth and independent judging process which concluded here at SPIA Asia, I'm very happy to be able to announce Asia's best-of-the-best in sports, here in Bangkok.”

Entry to the awards is free and the judging rigorous, concluding with a panel of more than 37 international experts who judge the entries to find the Gold, Silver and Bronze winners.

In addition to the judged awards, three are voted for by the public.

The top three in all categories are as follows: 

BEST GLOBAL SPORTS ORGANIZATION OPERATING IN ASIA
Presented by: Lagardère Sports
GOLD: NBA | Hong Kong | NBA Asia Limited 
SILVER: LaLiga Global Network SEA, Japan & South Korea | Singapore | LaLiga
BRONZE: Badminton World Federation | Malaysia | Badminton World Federation (BWF) 

BEST YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
Presented by: MAFRO Sports Marketing
GOLD: Mission Hills Junior Golf Program | China | Mission Hills Group
SILVER: Eish Al Tahaddi | Saudi Arabia | Intigral
BRONZE: NBA - Jr. NBA Program in Southeast Asia | Hong Kong | NBA 

BEST SPORTS DIGITAL PLATFORM OF THE YEAR
Presented by: Vizrt
GOLD: Standard Chartered KL Marathon | Malaysia | MYLAPS
SILVER: Dawri Plus | UAE | Intigral
BRONZE: Goal.com | Singapore | Perform Media

BEST INTEGRATED MARKETING CAMPAIGN FOR A SPORTS EVENT
Presented by: LaLiga
GOLD: Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix 2018 | Australia | Australian Grand Prix Corporation
SILVER: Pyeongchang 2018 - Resetting Finish Lines | South Korea | Visa Worldwide Pte Ltd
BRONZE: 2017 BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented SC Global | Singapore | Lagardère Sports

BEST SPORTS TOURISM DESTINATION OF THE YEAR
Presented by: Mediapro Asia
GOLD: Melbourne, Victoria | Australia | Visit Victoria
SILVER: Abu Dhabi | UAE | Abu Dhabi Sports Council
BRONZE: Subic Bay Freeport Zone | Philippines | Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority

BEST MASS PARTICIPATION EVENT OF THE YEAR
Presented by: Mass Participation Asia
GOLD: Sina 3X3 Golden League | China | Sina Sports
SILVER: Standard Chartered KL Marathon | Malaysia | Dirigo Events Sdn Bhd
BRONZE: ITU World Triathlon | UAE | Abu Dhabi Sports Council

BEST WOMEN’S SPORTS EVENT OF THE YEAR 
Presented by: Sri
GOLD: HSBC Women's World Championship | Singapore | IMG
SILVER: 19th AFC Women’ s Asian Cup | Jordan | Asian Football Federation
BRONZE: 2017 BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented SC Global | Singapore | Lagardère Sports

BEST SPORTS CSR INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR
Presented by: RCS
GOLD: HSBC Try Rugby Programme | Hong Kong | CSM Sport & Entertainment
SILVER: Allianz National Youth Football Invitational: #footballgoals | Philippines | Allianz PNB Life Insurance
BRONZE: IBF Youth Leaders Basketball Cup | Singapore | FIBA

BEST SPORT EVENT VENUE IN THAILAND
Presented by: Sport Authority Thailand
GOLD: Laguna Phuket | Laguna Service Company Ltd.
SILVER: Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort | Thanyapura
BRONZE: Pattana Sports Club | Pattana Sports Club Co. Ltd.

BEST SPORT YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IN THAILAND
Presented by: Sport Authority Thailand
GOLD: FC Bayern Youth Cup | FC Bayern Muenchen AG and Sport Thai Bavaria
SILVER: C55 Kids Triathlon Series I C55 Events
BRONZE: Sansiri Academy | Sansiri

BEST MASS PARTICIPATION EVENT OF THE YEAR (RUNNING, CYCLING)
Presented by: Sport Authority Thailand
GOLD: Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok 2018 | Sport Authority of Thailand
SILVER: Buriram Marathon 2018 | Sport Authority of Thailand
BRONZE: Bangkok Bank Cyclefest | IMG

BEST SPONSORSHIP OF SPORT, TEAM OR EVENT (> USD 250,000) IN THAILAND
Presented by: Sponsorium
GOLD: Toyota | Toyota Thai League T-1
SILVER: PTT Group | PTT Thailand Grand Prix (MotoGP)
BRONZE: Honda | Honda LPGA Thailand

BEST SPONSORSHIP OF A SPORT, TEAM OR EVENT ( >USD 250,000)
Presented by: SMG Insight
GOLD: HSBC Hong Kong 7s | Hong Kong | CSM Sport & Entertainment
SILVER: DHL - Indian Super League Sponsorship | India | DHL Express India Pvt. Ltd.
BRONZE: Air Asia – UFC Sponsorship | Singapore | UFC

BEST INTERNATIONAL SPORTING EVENT OF THE YEAR
Presented by: Kooora.com
GOLD: Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix 2018 | Australia | Australian Grand Prix Corporation
SILVER: WGC-HSBC Champions | China | IMG
BRONZE: 2018 SBMC Singapore Open | Singapore | Lagardère Sports

BEST SPORTS MARKETING AGENCY OF THE YEAR
Presented by: LaLiga
GOLD: Lagardère Sports | Singapore | Lagardère Sports
SILVER: IMG | Singapore | IMG
BRONZE: Mediapro Asia Pte Ltd | Singapore | Mediapro Asia Pte Ltd

BEST DEVELOPING FOOTBALL LEAGUE OF THE YEAR BY AFC
Presented by: Asian Football Confederation
GOLD: Vietnam | V. League 1
SILVER: India | I-League
BRONZE: Indonesia | Go-Jek Liga 1

BEST INSPIRING FOOTBALL LEAGUE OF THE YEAR BY AFC
Presented by: Asian Football Confederation
GOLD: UAE | Arabian Gulf League
SILVER: Qatar | Qatar Stars League
BRONZE: China PR | Chinese Super League

BEST LIVE EXPERIENCE AT A SPORTING EVENT (public voting)
GOLD: Australian F1 Grand Prix - 2018
SILVER: FIFA Club World Cup Abu Dhabi - 2017
BRONZE: Australia Open (tennis) - 2018

BEST SPORTSWEAR BRAND OF THE YEAR (public voting)
GOLD: Nike
SILVER: adidas
BRONZE: PUMA

BEST ESPORTS EVENT OF THE YEAR (public voting)
GOLD: 2018 League of Legends World Championship | South Korea | Riot Games
SILVER: MDL Changsha Major | Changsha | Mars Media
BRONZE: ESL One Genting 2018 | Malaysia | ESL

A live auction of sports memorabilia and luxury holiday packages at the Awards Gala raised money for a cause in Thailand that will be nominated by the AFC Dream Asia Foundation.

“SPIA Asia 2018 has been exceptional. The two-day sports conference provided some value insight into key topics in the regional industry today and the Awards Gala was the best yet. Congratulations to all the SPIA Asia 2018 winners – I'm happy to see that the future of Asia's sports industry looks very bright indeed,” added Mr. Gottschalk.

SPIA Asia brings together the governing bodies, federations, agencies, rights holders, brands and organizations which strongly contribute and positively influence the landscape of sport in Asia. Key partners of the 2018 event include the following entities which have pledged their support to SPIA Asia 2018: Ministry of Tourisms and Sports, Sports Authority of Thailand, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau, LaLiga, Lagardère Sports, SMG Insight, Kooora, MAFRO Sports, Mediapro, RCS Sports, Vizrt, Sponsorium, Twitter, SRI, British Business Council Thailand and CentraraGrand@Central World while long term local PR Agency Infinity Communications and The Sponsorship Experts (marketing partner & local co-organizer) are back on board for a third year.

For more information, visit www.spiaasia.com

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