SPORT INDUSTRY DINING: MARTIN OFFIAH

Last night, the latest Sport Industry Dining took place at Restaurant KöD in central London with special guest, Martin Offiah.

Sport Industry Dining is a series of exclusive dinners for Sport Industry Members, meeting four times a year at some of London’s most exclusive venues.

The prestigious series provides senior figures from leading brands, rights holders and agencies across the sport industry with the opportunity to network, socialise and hear from some of the most inspiring names in sport.

Danish steakhouse KöD was the setting for the final Sport Industry Dining of the year with TNT Sports presenter Becky Ives taking care of hosting duties once again.

Joining her for a Q&A was rugby league legend Martin Offiah, who took to the stage to share his stories with the group of senior sport industry figures from the likes of Red Bull Racing, Wimbledon, Wasserman, Gallagher, Formula 1, and NFL.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest wingers in rugby league history, Offiah’s prolific try-scoring abilities earned him the nickname ‘Chariots’ after his speed and agility reminiscent of the legendary sprinter.

Offiah spoke about one of the most iconic tries of all as he reflected on his biggest career highlights.

“If I say anything other than that try in 1994 against Leeds, you’re not going to believe me.

“I remember waking up that day and there was a whole page written about me in the Daily Mirror and it said I was ‘finished’ and ‘the best of a bad bunch’. I folded that page up, put it in my pocket, and went to the game.

“I remember just dodging journalists because I always had this thing before big games – I never wanted a reporter to come and talk to me before a game, I only wanted a reporter to talk to me after the game. If you’re a winger and a reporter talk to you after a game, you’ve done something right.”

Offiah joined Wigan in January 1992 for a world record fee of £440,000 and Becky quizzed him on how it felt to make such a high profile move.

When discussing the spotlight being on him, Offiah said, “The only time I really did feel pressure was when I was playing away, and I didn’t score a try because it was very rare. And then people would shout, ‘what a waste of money!’”

Offiah didn’t finish evening without touching on his post-playing career and numerous reality television appearances. When discussing the Rugby World Cup final between South Africa and New Zealand he also revealed a budding DJ career.

“I had a DJ gig on the night of the final! The game was intense and I said, ‘look, I ain’t starting my set until the game ends.’

Everyone kept trying to get me to start – they weren’t happy with the DJ that was playing – I said, look, nah mate, it’s intense, I’ve got to see this.

I had to delay my set, but everyone was happy after!”

Martin Offiah joins Rebecca Adlington, Ugo Monye, Molly Thompson-Smith, Alessia Russo, Hannah Cockcroft, Ellie Simmonds, Jermaine Jenas, Will Buxton, Alex Scott and Aimee Fuller on the list of Sport Industry Dining speakers, with more high-profile sportspeople lined up for upcoming Dining events.

Access to Sport Industry Dining can be gained by purchasing a Sport Industry Membership. In addition, the package offers tickets to Sport Industry Socials, tickets and entries to the FEVO Sport Industry Awards, and a number of other generous discounts and benefits.