The Middle East’s most popular corporate challenge event, the Daman Hercules Trophy, made its inaugural appearance at Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi yesterday (13 February 2016) with hundreds competing to claim the Trophy.
Employees and executives from some of the biggest companies the UAE, including teams from the events headline sponsor National Health Insurance Company – Daman, Etihad Airways and Etihad Rail battled it out in the 12 labours of the Daman Hercules Trophy which included The Eliminator, Surf Rodeo and the Human Catapult among many more.
“We are delighted to introduce the Daman Hercules Trophy to Abu Dhabi. This initiative has proved to be very successful in Dubai with some of the biggest corporate organisations participating in it. It is heartening to see that large companies here in the capital understand the message we are sending through this initiative; that corporates have an important role to play in the health of their staff. Through initiatives such as the Daman Hercules Trophy and our other events, we aim to mobilise the community to get physically fit and seek healthy living,” said Dr Michael Bitzer, Chief Executive Officer, The National Health Insurance Company – Daman.
After 12 exciting labour challenges the first ever winning team in Abu Dhabi was Daman Health’s Fireproof. Fireproof was closely followed by Daman Health’s Active8 with Abu Dhabi Finance Olympians II finishing in third position.
Prizes were also given out to Etihad Rail for the Best Dressed Team, Europcar Abu Dhabi for the Best Picture, Daman Health’s Active8 for the Smartest Team, Abu Dhabi Finance Olympians for the Fairest Play, Daman Health’s Fireproof for the Coolest Team and Europcar Abu Dhabi for winning the CEO Petanque challenge.
Speaking after yesterday’s Abu Dhabi event Yves Vekemans, President and CEO of Hercules Trophy said: “Our first event in Abu Dhabi was a great success with hundreds of people competing to take home the Daman Hercules Trophy. Our events, which are like no other, allow companies to work together to achieve their best through sport. As our slogan says, our participants come as a company but leave as a team and we have certainly seen that in action today. We would like to thank all the teams, sponsors and companies that continue to support the Daman Hercules Trophy in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. We are already looking forward to next year.”
Abu Dhabi Finance, one of the key Daman Hercules Trophy Abu Dhabi sponsors and labour challenge providers said: “First time in Abu Dhabi and what a splendid event! An extremely power packed experience. The Daman Hercules Trophy labour challenge from Abu Dhabi Finance educated the teams to determine their mortgage eligibility for purchasing a property in UAE which gave them a well-informed outlook. Our participating team had an enjoyable time completing all the challenges with vigour, and we look forward to our continued participation Daman Hercules Trophy UAE”.
After the labours finished, teams enjoyed the Hercules Trophy awards ceremony and after party. Teams, their friends, family and colleagues were able to celebrate and soak up the atmosphere of Zayed Sports City.