Sports
Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG)names 2013 outstanding sports performers
The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has released the
names of outstanding sports men and women as well as organisations that exceled
in the past sports season.
James Kwesi Appiah, coach of the senior national football team
is in pole position to grab the Sports Personality of the year award from his
captain Asamoah Gyan and female weight lifter Juliana Arku who won six
medals at the African Weightlifting Championship in Morocco.
Three top Black Star players have been nominated for the
prestigious SWAG Footballer of the year. They are UAE Al Ain’s striker Asamoah
Gyan, Sulley Muntari of AC Milan fame
and Kwadwo Asamoah of Juventus in Italy.
Two young stars who distinguished themselves at the World Youth
Championship in Turkey 2013, Ebenezer Assifua and Clifford Aboagye will also be
at the ceremony to receive prizes for emerging Promising Star and Discovery of
the year respectively.
Professional boxer of the year goes to the Ghanaian boxer who
has challenged Floyd Mayweather of the USA. He goes by the name Patrick Allotey
aka “All Weather”. He is undefeated in 30 fights. Cyclist Samuel Anim of the
Young Stars Club at Dansoman will also be honoured for his display in the sport
during 2013.
Below is the list of nominees for the 39th Edition of the MTN SWAG Awards.
SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
James Akwesi Kwesi Appiah – The first ever Ghanaian coach to qualify the Black Stars
to the FIFA
World Cup. His team scored 16 goals and conceded two in the FIFA World Cup
Qualifiers.
Juliana Arku (Weightlifter) - Six medals at the 2013 Africa Weightlifting
Championship. They were made up of four silver and two bronze medals.
Asamoah Gyan (Footballer)- For his
exemplary leadership and contribution to the success of the Black Stars and
excellent club performance. He emerged as the top scorer for his club and the
Black Stars. He was named in the Africa Best XI for 2013.
FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR: Nomination based on the contribution of the three
players to the cause of the national team and excellent performance at their
respective clubs. One to be voted for before the awards day.
Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus, Italy)
Sulley Muntari (AC Milan, Italy)
Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain, UAE)
FEMALE FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR
Jane Ayieyam (Black Maidens) - For her outstanding performance for the
national Under-17 Women’s team, the Black Maidens. She was the highest scorer
in the team.
PROFESSIONAL BOXER OF THE YEAR
Patrick Allotey - World Boxing Council (WBC) International Welterweight Champion
with a record of 30 fights undefeated. Successfully
defended his title.
CYCLIST OF THE YEAR
Samuel Anim (Young Stars Cycling Club) - Most sensational and best fighter.
COACH OF THE YEAR
James Kwesi Appiah: The first Ghanaian to lead the Black Stars to qualify
for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN OF THE YEAR
Ben Nunoo–Mensah – (Chairman of the Ghana Weightlifting Association) – For
his role in the promotion and development of weightlifting in Ghana. He led the
National Weightlifting team, the Black Cranes to win 19 medals in the 2013
Africa Weightlifting Championship in Morocco.
HOCKEY PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Male - Elikem Akaba
Female – Elizabeth Opoku aka “Akiti” (Black Sticks) Best Player and Goal
Queen at the African Championship in South Africa
DISCOVERY OF THE YEAR
Clifford Aboagye – (Footballer) 2013 World U 20 Bronze Ball winner
PROMISING STAR OF THE YEAR
Ebenezer Assifua – (Footballer) 2013 World U 20 Golden Boot winner
FEMALE CLUB OF THE YEAR
Hasaacas Ladies FC (Sekondi) They were winners of the maiden National
Women’s Football League in 2013.
NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR
The Black Satellites - For winning silver at the 2013 Africa Youth Championship
and Bronze at the FIFA Under-20 World Youth Tournament.
WEIGHTLIFTER OF THE YEAR
Juliana Arku won six (6) silver medals two (2) bronze medals 63-kilo
category.
BADMINTON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Abraham Ayittey won gold medal in the Men’s single event at the Africa Junior
(U-18) Badminton International Championship in Casablanca, Morocco and won gold
in Africa Badminton Championship in Botswana in late 2013.
SWIMMER OF THE YEAR
Ophelia Swayne is Ghana’s Youth Olympic hopeful. She clinched two medals at
the Lagos International Swimming Classics in 2013. She won gold in the 50m
butterfly in 29:73secs and grabbed silver in the 100m butterfly.
SWAG Special Awardshave been lined up for top executives and officials like Silas
Tetteh who led the Black
Satellites to grab bronze at the World Youth Cup, GNPC, for supporting the Black
Stars and making them financially
sound, Kudjoe Fianoo of Ashgold for
his contribution to Ghana Football in general, Oseadeyio Agyeman Badu, the
Dormaahene for his contribution to the development and
promotion of football in his town, Nana
Benyin Dadson, for his role in promoting Women’s Football and his team
Hasaacas Ladies, Abdul Salam Yakubu,
for managing New Edubiase to become a popular club in Ghana Football and unearthing
talented players as well as Shaban
Mohammed, the technical director of the Ghana Cycling Federation, for his
leadership and enthusiasm in organizing events especially the 2013 Cowbell
National Cycling Tour and appointment to serve on international bodies
representing Ghana.
The SWAG has announced
that other awards for Golf, Kick boxing, Table Tennis, Judo, Basketball,
Handball and Athletics would be made very soon.
The next SWAG awards
for 2013 which is the 39th edition and sponsored my telecom giants,
MTN comes off in May, 2014 at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Accra.
As usual SWAG will
surprise patrons of the awards with a top international figure to grace the
event which hopes to attract over 900 guests. The SWAG awards is one of the
prestigious events on the Ghanaian Sports Calendar.
By Sammy Heywood Okine
Deputy General
Secretary (SWAG)
