Daman Hercules Trophy 2016 - Herculean Alliance

Daman Hercules Trophy 2016. The Daman Hercules Trophy, the Middle East’s most popular corporate challenge event was organized for the sixth time at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai, February 6^th 2016 and for the first time at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, February 13^th 2016. 72 teams equaling over 550 participants, competed against each other. Executives and employees alike completed the 12 labours, such as the human catapult, table football, surf rodeo and many more.

Read the wrap-up document by clicking here.

Participants came from a wide variety of companies, ranging from Coca-Cola and the event’s headline sponsor The National Health Insurance Company – Daman, to the Philips Group as well as local based smaller companies like CrossFit Sands and Two Four 54.

First of all, there was a Brain challenge, followed by the Warming-up and Opening ceremony. When all of the participants were adequately warmed up, the actual competition started. Every 15 minutes, a labour had to be completed.

There’s more to the Hercules Trophy than just competing however. There was a boxing and wrestling exhibition by Lee Hurford Academy, a phone charging booth provided by 7Days, a massage and physiotherapy booth and Kodak Moments took care of taking pictures.

To keep contestants, as well as supporters and family members who were equally welcome, entertained throughout the day, MC’s provided music and chef’s prepared food. A light breakfast, savory lunch and an evening BBQ, were offered to all who were present. Kids had a grand time too, thanks to the kid friendly accommodations and lots of room to play in.

The atmosphere was incredible, as following video’s prove. One UASC participant, Riya, was particularly baffled by the bonding force of the Hercules Trophy. She says: “We came here as strangers, none of us knew each other even though we work in a big company, and as soon as we came here, we had to do all these challenges, as a team, and this kind of helped us be friends. This is a great thing, because everything kind of moves you, you know, you have to work as a team to get through the whole challenge. So that’s like the main thing, for me at least, the team is working together even though they don’t know each other. We just come here to work as a team.”

Others have the same opinion, stating that it’s simply incredible to have so many different people from different nationalities that didn’t know each other beforehand, working together to form a team and overcome challenges together, all in just one day.

“The best social activity I ever saw”, says a clearly euphoric contestant. Some were mostly happy about the accessibility of the event, saying that it’s great that everyone can participate: you definitely don’t have to be the strongest or the fittest person to join the fun. In fact, you don’t even have to participate to join the fun! After all, the Daman Hercules Trophy is for employees and their families.

The organizers of the Daman Hercules Trophy were pretty satisfied as well. Speaking about their involvement in the event Dr. Michael Bitzer, CEO of Daman said: “It is very encouraging to see that our initiative is endorsed by some of the biggest corporate names. While this is a corporate event, it is the individuals that truly benefit as they get to experience how fun physical activities can be. Initiatives such as this, and the ones we offer through our ActiveLife initiatives are designed to mobilise people to get physically fit and maintain a healthy living and hope that people participating today/yesterday will continue with including physical activity in their daily routine.”

Emad Naqvi from 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 wellinformed 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.”

Yves Vekemans, President and CEO of Hercules Trophy said at the end of the Dubai Daman Hercules Trophy: “Today has been a great success with over sixty teams competing in the sixth annual Daman Hercules Trophy. We are now very much looking forward to our inaugural event in Abu Dhabi which takes place next weekend at Zayed Sports City. We would like to thank all the teams, sponsors and companies that continue to support the Daman Hercules Trophy.”