sports event management - FIFA/CIES International University Network

ADVERTORIALmodular buildings and design technology could positively challengeand affect the outcome.“After many years in the profession we have identified gaps in theevent business that require focused design attention and strategicdevelopment. Among the various fields we seek to influence throughdesign are new technologies and how to use tailored solutions toimprove the way things are done,” says Cotterell.“Event design is not just about the event itself, its about how youimpact the urban context, the existing community and the lives of thepeople, how you respond to their cultural needs, how each cultureinterprets its opportunity to host a sporting event.“I always remind our architects that while we are in the studiodesigning, the athletes are out there training for the moment ofa lifetime, perhaps a moment in history….we are responsible fordesigning the stage that will host these moments and for enhancingthe atmosphere that will make these moments memorable – nothingcan be left to chance!“There is a difference between designing an event which simplysatisfies the utility requirements and designing something that alsocreates an exciting experience.“Our design for the 2009 FINA World Diving Championships was anexample of how good design might influence the event. Traditionallythe look and feel of an aquatics event is one of a range of blues with asplashing of sponsor boards – we took the opportunity to interpret thesport with its dramatic heights and elegant acrobatics and to designthe diving arena as a theatre stage dressed in purples and a limegreen with oversized graphics of a diver composed of Arabic script.“When the athletes saw it they were taking photos like tourists asthey expressed their amazement at the space in which they wereabout to compete.“FINA wrote to us, thanking us for the exceptional work sayingthey had never seen anything like it. Spectators and participantsalike benefited from our use of design to influence the competitionexperience.”CREATING A LEGACYBecause events are a matter of national pride, it is DESIGNSPORT’sexperience that local professionals deliver the highest quality andcommitment to an event, and to that end, DESIGNSPORT’s core teamrecruits, trains and mentors locally.Our legacy is illustrated in our involvement with the Delhi 2010Commonwealth Games project, in which DESIGNSPORT trained 25local architects, most of who were recent university graduates or hadlittle professional experience.The local architects developed from shy students to managersof major contractors on large scale sporting facilities, dealing withdelivering major construction works with an extremely punishingtimeline. Most have now moved into positions with sporting authoritiesor events including the Indian Premier League, Formula 1, SportsDoha Asian Games, 2006Authority of India and more.DESIGNSPORT retains the control of its end product by ensuringits core team are present on the ground at all times to foster a oneon-onerelationship with the Client representatives and with the localteam. This personal approach is valued by the Client, enhances thequality of our service while also enriching the company’s core.A fundamental interest of DESIGNSPORT is the development of theprofession of the ‘sport architect’ and how this role supports biddingcities, host nations and all sporting authorities of the industry.Our philosophy allows us to research innovative, competitivesolutions with a strong commitment to intelligent and visionaryresponses to evermore demanding requirements. This has resulted inthe successful delivery of major sporting projects worldwide.“Design sport is very much about the collaborative approach,” saysCotterell. “We recognize that event management requires expertsin many different fields, and we continue to collaborate with ourcompetitors in order to achieve a shared goal.”DESIGNSPORTP.O. Box 13715Doha, Qatar+974 44 47 67 94designsport@designsport.orgwww.designsport.orgSPORTS EVENT MANAGEMENT 21