UK: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Beckham and Arsenal Football Club among recipients at sports award ceremony in London
- 00:00:05
- ITN Source
UK: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Beckham and Arsenal Football Club among recipients at sports award ceremony in London
British athletes, sports industry leaders and sports journalists were all honoured on Thursday (March 29) at the prestigious Sports Industry Awards. Star attraction at the London ceremony was former England football captain, David Beckham, who won the Outstanding Contribution to British Sport. To flashing lightbulbs Beckham and wife Victoria posed for photos before heading inside the collect the award, presented to him by Arsenal striker Thierry Henry. Beckham paid tribute to his fans, "I thank the Manchester United players, the Manchester United fans because without them I wouldn't have got through '98 like I did, so I have to thank them for that. I also have to thank the Real Madrid fans who have been incredible to me." Referred to by some as the 'Oscars of the sports world', the Sport Industry Awards recognise commercial achievements in UK sport in 2006. More than 1200 athletes, celebrities and key figures in the sports industry attended the event to honour those in marketing, public relations, sponsorship and digital media. Arsenal Football Club was recognized with the Sport Business Achievement of the Year for its success in building the club's new home at the Emirates Stadium. Long-time manager Arsene Wenger accepted the prize, saying Arsenal's new home and new business plan heralds a bright future for the team. "For us it was a big move, we struggled a little bit financially because we had big debt .That's why we anticipate it a little bit by recruiting a lot of young future great players we hope and I am convinced they will and in the future, a much bigger club which means we will have the potential to compete with everybody in the world." Other recipients included Vic Wakeling, Managing Director, Sky Sports who won a Lifetime Achievement award for his work at the station since its launch in April 1991. Wakeling received his award from the network's first ever presenter Richard Keys. Wakeling was modest about his achievements, "I am sure everybody in this room must have memories of being in the right place at the right time and I suppose I was about 14 years ago when the Chief Executive of Sky called me...and Sam Chisholm said, 'Vic' he said, 'I am giving you Sky Sports'. Adidas picked up the Sport Brand of the Year following its World Cup year while Karen Earl Sponsorship was named Sport Agency of the Year. The rest of the winners are as follows; Best Marketing of a Sport Product - Under Armour,coldgear. The Sport England Community Programme Award -Barclays - Spaces for Sports. Best Use of PR in a Sport Campaign - adidas for FIFA World Cup 2006. Best Use of Digital Media in Sport - BBC Sport - World Cup 2006 website. Best Integrated Marketing Campaign - Nike - 'Run London 2006, North v South'. The Eurostar European Sport Sponsorship Award - Sony Ericsson - Get Closer to the Tour. Best TV Sport Commercial - Carlsberg - "Old Lions". Best Promotion of a Sport by a Governing Body - UEFA - The Ultimate Stage. Best Sponsorship of a Sport Team or Individual - Samsung Electronics - Chelsea F.C. Sponsorship. Best Newspaper Sport Coverage - The Daily Telegraph. Best Sponsorship of a Sport Event or Programme - Guinness - Guinness Premiership.
ITN Source | March 31, 2007
