“Unstoppable: The Italian Dream,” the first collaboration in a series with Lega Serie A in the MENA region to receive a global accolade, has been honored with the prestigious “Best TV Partnership” award at the 2024 Globe Soccer Awards. This milestone underscores the show’s impact in shining a spotlight on regional sports and talent, achieving significant global recognition.
The Globe Soccer Awards, a renowned event celebrating excellence in the football world, has been held annually in Dubai since its inception in 2010. The awards honor players, coaches, clubs, and fans across various categories, with fan voting playing a central role in the selection process, ensuring supporters have a voice and feel valued.
Maaz Sheikh, CEO of STARZPLAY, expressed his gratitude, stating “We are incredibly proud to receive
the ‘Best Football – TV Partnership’ award at the Globe Soccer Awards. This achievement reflects our
commitment to introduce impactful and engaging sports content for our viewers. “Unstoppable: The
Italian Dream” is a testament to our focus on youth empowerment, and we are thrilled that it has resonated with audiences across the region.”
Lega Serie A President Mr Ezio Simonelli voiced his thanks, underscoring the importance of collaboration in this achievement “This prestigious award is a recognition of the entire Lega Serie A structure for the work being done to enhance Italian football on an international level. I would also like to thank our local broadcaster Starzplay for the growing interest it generates among young people in a rapidly expanding region. This is a concrete example of how projects can be developed that go beyond the mere broadcasting of matches.”
The groundbreaking sports reality show brought young football talents from the MENA region together
to compete for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Filmed across four countries; United Arabs of Emirates,
Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Morocco, the show featured football legends and experts; Luca Antonini,
Christian Pannuci, Marco Materazzi, Christian Vieri, Andriy Shevchenko, Gianfranco Zola, Essam El
Hadary, Sami Al Jaber, Houssine Kharja, and Yahya Al Ghassani as judges. The contestants showcased
their skills in pursuit of the ultimate prize: a chance to train with top Lega Serie A clubs AC Milan and
Bologna. Winners Aydan Nadeer and Yasser Salmi emerged as champions of Unstoppable: The Italian
Dream, earning this exclusive opportunity to advance their careers.
Ben Ross, Acting CEO of Image Nation Abu Dhabi said: ”This award is a celebration of the remarkable
talent within the MENA region and the unique stories we aim to bring to life. ‘Unstoppable: The Italian
Dream’ has created new opportunities for young talents while spotlighting the region’s dynamic
potential on the world stage. We’re thrilled to see it receive such prestigious recognition and remain
committed to championing creativity and opportunity in every project we undertake.”
Produced by Image Nation Abu Dhabi, one of the Middle East’s leading film studios, and sponsored by
PureHealth, the largest integrated healthcare group in the UAE, Lega Serie A, the premier Italian football
league, Puma, the official sportswear partner, and Modon, the leading real estate developer,
“Unstoppable: The Italian Dream” promises to be a thrilling ride filled with passion, drama, and fierce
competition.
The recognition from the Globe Soccer Awards and the unique platform provided by the show underscore STARZPLAY’s commitment to fostering youth development and creating opportunities for
aspiring talents to achieve their dreams. This achievement further solidifies STARZPLAY’s position as a
leader in producing high-quality, impactful sports content in the region.
