Sport Industry Group

Neo Africa to partner Sport Industry Awards- 1 Sep 2010 00:00:00

Innovative business group Neo Africa has become an Official Partner of the Virgin Active Sport Industry Awards 2011 in South Africa, the inaugural celebration of the business achievements of this country’s sports market.

The Virgin Active Sport Industry Awards 2011 mirrors the annual gala Sport Industry Awards in the UK – the largest sport business event in Europe. The South African Awards is the first replication of the event outside the UK.

The UK Sport Industry Awards, organised by the Sport Industry Group and which celebrates its ninth year in 2010, rewards achievements in business around sport, including marketing, public relations, sponsorship, media, publishing advertising and design. The Awards event attracts high-profile global sporting and non-sporting personalities such as David and Victoria Beckham, Jenson Button, Fabio Capello, Sir Alex Ferguson, Martin Johnson, Dame Kelly Holmes, Kevin Pietersen, Thierry Henry, Bernie Ecclestone and Michael Johnson.

Neo Africa joins a growing list of commercial partners for the South African Awards, which include the Headline Partner Virgin Active, as well as Virgin Atlantic, SuperSport, Rapport, City Press, EA Sports and Deloitte.

“Neo Africa has in its relatively short existence quickly established itself as a major supporter of various sporting codes, such as motorsport, boxing and rugby. Neo Africa is also a National Supporter of the FIFA 2010 World Cup South Africa™, the youngest-ever company to enjoy this status,” says Neo Africa founder and CEO Vivien Natasen.

“By agreeing to become an Official Partner of the Virgin Active Sport Industry Awards 2011 in South Africa, Neo Africa is cementing its reputation as a nascent force in the rapidly developing South African sports arena. The Virgin Active Sport Industry Awards 2011 in South Africa is recognition of our country’s increasingly important role in international sport, and we are very pleased to be associating with such a prestigious brand.”

Says George Marx, Business Development Manager at the Sport Industry Group: “As a truly South African firm with a track record for innovation, there is a natural fit between Neo Africa and the Sport Industry Awards’ remit of rewarding best practice in the South African sport business. We are very excited about bringing this pivotal partnership to life as we work towards our inaugural event in February.”

To be held on 17 February 2011 at Emperors Palace, Ekurhuleni, the Virgin Active Sport Industry Awards 2011 will see this country’s leading sports brands and organisations being recognised for their work at a glamorous, star-studded black-tie event, that is set to become the most visible and sought-after endorsement of commercial achievement in sport.

Three of South Africa’s best-loved and most inspirational sports stars – Lucas Radebe, Bob Skinstad and Natalie du Toit – are the event’s Ambassadors.

The Virgin Active Sport Industry Awards 2011 is open for entries. Click here to submit your work.