Nice to see this move. FBK Classic is one of the most iconic of meets in Northern Europe. I have ventured over several times, love the city of Hengelo (great beer, and great walking and running trails). And then, the meet.
I have watched Haile Gebrselassie’s last 10,000m race on the track in 2012. I have watched some fantatic races with an educated crowd in a fun stadium. Nice to see Jos Hermans and his Global Sports Communication team take over from the Golazo team.
If you get a chance to see this meet, get over to Hengelo for 3 June 2018 meet!
Global Sports Communication new owner of FBK Games Hengelo
Jos Hermans, Ellen Van Langen, Hans Kloosterman, photo courtesy of Glocal Sports Communication
With effect from the 2018 edition the FBK Games will have a new owner. The sports management agency Global Sports Communication is taking over the event from events organiser Golazo Athletics. The FBK Games are the Netherlands’ only top-level international athletics event. For 36 years now this event has provided a stage on which Dutch athletes have been able to test themselves against the best athletes from around the globe. Numerous athletes have achieved qualifying standards and various Dutch and world records have been set at the FBK Games.
Jos Hermens: “Dutch athletics has a special place in my heart. That’s why, when the opportunity to take over this wonderful event was offered to me by Golazo Athletics, I seized it with both hands. Global Sports Communication operates worldwide and we see interesting innovations in our sport all around the globe that we are keen to bring to the FBK Games. Golazo Athletics has done some excellent work over the past few years and I’m delighted to be able to pick up the baton. I’m looking forward to putting our own stamp on this fantastic event.” Hans Kloosterman and Ellen van Langen will be joint meeting directors and will take the lead in the organization of the event.
Global Sports Communication has been associated with the event for 30 years, having been responsible for putting together the field of athletes. Besides the FBK Games, Global Sports Communication also organizes the IAAF Diamond League in Shanghai and manages 150 top international athletes, as well as the NN Running Team.
Golazo Athletics took over the event 3 years ago when it was going through a difficult period and turned its fortunes around. Director Bob Verbeeck: “A few years ago we’ve guaranteed the continuity of the FBK Games and have managed to grow the event among other things by turning it into a celebration of sport held over several days. It is with complete confidence that I am handing over responsibility for this wonderful athletics event to Jos Hermens and his team.”
Director Hans Kloosterman: “Golazo Athletics guided the FBK Games through a difficult period. We are extremely grateful to them for the work they have done. Athletics is currently on the cusp of a number of interesting innovations and the FBK Games can play a leading role here. With the passion that Jos Hermens and Ellen van Langen have for this event, we will be focusing on these developments with confidence.”
The FBK Games are the Dutch athletics classic. They are part of the IAAF World Challenge, putting Hengelo alongside such globally respected events as Kingston, Rio de Janeiro, Madrid, Ostrava and Berlin.
The next edition of the FBK Games is scheduled to be held on 3 June 2018.
