The DEMES award in this category is given for skilful management of a small sports facility, paying attention to the quality of the organised events, effective cooperation with the local sports community, as well as cooperation with partners or suppliers.
This award is in recognition of a five-year activity of TUL Sports Bay. The construction of this sports facility was a major financial effort on the part of Lodz University of Technology, the Ministry of Sport and Tourism, the Ministry of Education and Science - then the Ministry of Science and Higher Education - and the local government, but it was worth it. Today, nearly a thousand people pass through the building every day - from a few-year-old learners of swimming, young people and students to champions experienced in life and sport. They fill the sports facility with their energy, fulfilling the motto of Lodz University of Technology itself: multiply your opportunities.
- said the Rector of TUL, Professor Krzysztof Jóźwik.
The director of Sports Bay, Witold Nykiel, does not hide his joy, admitting that this distinction is the effect of hard work of the entire team of professionals employed at this modern sports facility. There is the only indoor 50-metre swimming pool in Lodz, which provides the opportunity to practise sport for an increasing number of athletes and inhabitants not only from Lodz, but also from the entire Lodz voivodeship.
TUL Sports Bay has already been the venue for many significant sports events. Among the most important were last year's European Universities Games. It was the biggest celebration of academic sport and the first such major sports event in Poland after the period associated with pandemic restrictions. Nearly 4 500 athletes from 46 countries took part, representing their universities. Five out of 21 sports disciplines were held in Sports Bay. These were: badminton, futsal, water polo, swimming, and sport climbing.
TUL Sports Bay has also been the arena of Polish swimming championships, in water jumping and synchronised swimming. Multiple Polish water polo champions - Lodz Water polo Sport Association - play their league matches here, as do LKS male and female basketball players. Every year, the Arena Grand Prix Polish Cup, the most important swimming event in Poland in the 25-metre pool, and the Para Swimming Contest take place here.
Prestigious DEMES Statuettes have for many years recognised organisations, companies, and individuals whose actions have influenced the development and professionalisation of sports marketing, communication, and sponsorship. This year, the Sports Business Awards were presented in twelve categories, and the decision to award them was made by the Statuettes Committee, consisting of recognised experts, practitioners and academics associated with the sports industry.