Friday, January 22, 2010

Laureus Sports Awards in Abu Dhabi

The 2010 annual Laureus World Sports Awards is to be held in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday March 10.

The Laureus World Sports Awards is recognised as the premier honours event in the international sporting calendar and the Awards Ceremony provides a high profile focus as stars of the sporting world come together to salute the finest sportsmen and sportswomen of the year.

The winners are selected by the ultimate sports jury - the 46 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, the living legends of sport honouring the greatest athletes of today.

The 2010 Awards Ceremony, which will be broadcast to a worldwide TV audience, will be staged at the Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi.

Proceeds from the Laureus World Sports Awards directly benefit and underpin the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation which supports over 70 community sports projects around the world and has helped to improve the lives of more than one million young people.

Laureus Chairman and double Olympic gold medallist Edwin Moses said: “I am thrilled and delighted that the 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards is to be staged in Abu Dhabi. This is an important step for Laureus to move our Awards Ceremony to a new part of the world, and a wonderful way to start the second decade of our existence.

"The Gulf region has grown dramatically in sporting significance in the last decade and with its long and distinguished history, combined with its most modern facilities and its undoubted appeal as one of the world’s most fascinating and attractive cities, I am sure the Awards in Abu Dhabi will be an unforgettable experience.”

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, CEO Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said “We are proud of having co-founded this unique platform for top athletes from all over the world. Our company is closely connected with Abu Dhabi and we are very delighted that the Laureus World Sports Awards 2010 will take place in this fascinating city.”

H.E. Khadem Al Qubaisi, Chairman of Aabar Investments, host partner of the 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards, said: “We are delighted that Abu Dhabi has been chosen to host the 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards. Sport is close to the hearts of all our people. Abu Dhabi is a city that harmoniously combines historic traditions and modern values. I am confident that active construction of sport facilities and creation of well-developed infrastructure makes Abu Dhabi an ideal venue for sports events of global significance. I am confident that our partnership with the Laureus World Sports Awards will be enormously successful.

“Aabar Investments PJSC, as the host partner of the event, is honoured to bring this prestigious occasion to Abu Dhabi and to play a pivotal role in an event that touches the lives of so many globally. As a universal language, sports have no boundaries and create a positive impact on future generations. Aabar hopes to enhance awareness of the importance of sport to society and to develop its relationship with the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.”

There is a two-part voting process to find the winners of the Laureus World Sports Awards. Firstly, a Selection Panel of the world’s leading sports editors, writers and broadcasters from over 120 countries votes to create a shortlist of six nominations in various categories including Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year, Laureus World Team of the Year, Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year and Laureus World Comeback of the Year.

The 46 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy then vote by secret ballot to select the Award winners. The Laureus Academy members also vote for the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability and the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year, the nominations for which are made by specialist panels.

The Patron of Laureus is Nelson Mandela. At the inaugural Laureus World Sports Awards in 2000, President Mandela said: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. Sport can awaken hope where there was previously only despair.” This has become the philosophy of Laureus; the driving force behind its work.

Laureus was founded by its Patrons Richemont and Daimler and is supported by its Global Partners Mercedes-Benz, IWC Schaffhausen and Vodafone.

2 comments:

  1. Have anyone heard of this, some top guns in OCM are also attending this award presentation ceremony. Of course it is led by the Emperor of OCM and some of his minions. To be fair the invitation was extended to them also and Malaysia must be represented.
    Now don't be cynical, we just had our presentation at the OCM hall of Malaysia best athlete and there were murmurs it lack the lacking and punch of such an important event.
    So it is a "lawatan sambil belajar" for the top guns of OCM to see how they do it at Abu Dhabi on the Laureus Sports Award.
    Money ! OCM have millions and spending say RM 100K sending a Team of Top Guns there is chicken feed la.

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  2. Hey Anon 9.22am, don't simply make accusation like that , OCM make millions because of the Sec Gen prudent spending . It is what it is today because of the Sec Gen's vision , look be serious he does not draw a salary and he also have to pay parking in Wisma OCM. So a little perks here and there to attend the Abu Darbi event is okay.
    Please do not make an issue out of this, if not the Board of OCM will not want to go .
    To OCM, if you are invited by all means go , you chaps deserve it for all the work you have done. Can I suggest that since this is an international event and if all the people on the Board were to go, please give them proper attire.

    Ladies sarong kebaya not Baju Kurung, and for the gentlemen a set of baju melayu with the kain samping and a songkok. For the Sec Gen. of OCM no songkok for him. As the Chef de mission to the Laureus Sports Award, let him wear the Hang Tuah head gear and arm him with a keris better still a replica of " Taming Sari".

    I can imagine the international TV station covering the event will certainly interview him if not on the Laureus event,at least his eye catching costume.

    Go OCM go!

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