The Finnish American Football Association (SAJL) and the Pajulahti Sports Institute have been recognized by the City of Lahti Sports and Culture Awards 2024 for their collaboration in staging last summer’s IFAF Flag Football World Championships.
Their successful joint production of the flagship IFAF event has earned the Sports Achievement of the Year Award for events taking place in Lahti, Finland. The tournament was held in Lahti in August with events taking place at Pajulahti and the Lahti Sports Center.
“We are extremely proud to receive recognition for an event that was a labor of love for everyone involved and brought athletes from around the world together in Lahti,” said SAJL President Roope Noronen. “This is a deserved reward for the many staff and volunteers who welcomed all visitors with a smile and worked tirelessly to make the tournament a success.”
IFAF President Pierre Troche added: “The world championships were the biggest, most prestigious and highest profile ever held since the tournament began in 2002. This award rewards the tireless hours of work everyone at SAJL and Pajulahti put in to make sure the tournament was a success and is very well deserved.”
The IFAF Flag Football World Championships brought nearly 1,000 athletes and coaches to Lahti. The finals were held at the Lahti Sports Center and reached millions of viewers worldwide through live streaming of games.
More than 50 teams from 31 countries participated and for the first time in the sport’s history, participants from five continents were included. This marked the first time a World Championship in a team ball sport from the Summer Olympics program was held in Finland.
The Flag Football World Championships are fully gender-equal, with men and women competing in the same tournament on the same fields.
The criteria for selecting the sports achievement of the year in Lahti include significant success in national or international competitions or other activities that positively promote and innovate Lahti’s sports culture. The award is usually given for a sports achievement in the specific year, such as a notable victory or accomplishment.
The award will be presented at an award ceremony on Tuesday, December 17, in the courtyard of Lahti City Hall.
Photo: Ian Humes
