Abu Dhabi Sports Council Secures 10 Prestigious Awards at Middle East Sports Industry Awards 2025

Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) has claimed a remarkable ten awards at the Middle East Sports Industry Awards 2025, held at Space 42 Arena in Al Raha Beach, Abu Dhabi. The prestigious ceremony brought together sports leaders, event organizers, and industry stakeholders from across the region.

The Council’s honors included five Gold, three Silver, and two bronze awards, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s regional and global leadership in sports development and international event hosting. Among the top recognitions was the Gold Award for Strategic Leadership in Middle East Sport, presented to His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, in appreciation of his exceptional role in advancing Abu Dhabi’s sports ecosystem.

Another highlight was the Gold Award for Major Sports Event of the Year, which went to the 2024 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, a distinguished part of the Rolex Series and the DP World Tour Championship Finals, held at Yas Links in November 2024.

In the field of youth development, the Council received the Gold Award for Youth Sports Program of the Year for Active Hub, an initiative that promotes youth engagement and wellness through sport. Furthermore, the Council earned the Gold Award for Best Corporate Wellness Through Sport for organizing the Abu Dhabi Government Games 2024, which emphasized health and wellbeing in the workplace. Additionally, the Gold Award for Mass Participation Event was awarded to the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon 2024, one of the largest and most impactful sporting events in the region.

The Council’s achievements extended to silver and bronze categories as well. It earned the Silver Award for Excellence in Sustainability for hosting SAIL GP Abu Dhabi 2024, an event praised for its commitment to environmentally conscious practices. The Silver Award for Partnership Activation of the Year went to the collaboration between ADSC and Mubadala Investment Company, while the Silver Award for Community Sports Initiative recognized the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open for enhancing community engagement through tennis.

In the Bronze category, the UAE Tour Women 2024 was recognized with the Bronze Award for Mass Participation Event, showcasing the strength of women’s cycling in the UAE. The Bronze Award for Best Fan Engagement in Sport also went to the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon 2024, in recognition of its immersive and interactive fan experiences.

Commenting on the occasion, HE Aref Hamad Al Awani expressed his gratitude to the UAE’s wise leadership, stating:
“These awards are a true reflection of the immense support and strategic vision of our leadership, which continue to elevate the UAE’s sports sector to global prominence. I also extend my sincere congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and to every team member who contributed to this collective success.”

He added: “This achievement represents a milestone for Abu Dhabi and reaffirms our commitment to delivering world-class sports events, fostering community participation, and promoting wellness and sustainability through sport. It’s a proud moment that motivates us to aim even higher.”