Asamoah Gyan, Andre Ayew vie for SWAG award

Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan and his deputy Andre Ayew are the frontrunners for the Sports Writers Association of Ghana Personality of the Year award on Saturday in Accra.

The 41st SWAG Awards Night will take place at the Banquet Hall of the State House.

Gyan, who is nursing an injury, has returned to his club side Shanghai SIPG in China.

Ayew is on international duty and will captain the Black Stars against Mauritius on Sunday in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations Group H penultimate qualifier.

The duo are in contention with top local coaches Yusif Basigi and Bashir Hayford.

Basigi made the final shortlist after leading the Black Queens to win their first ever gold at the All Africa Games in Congo last year.

Hayford merited nomination for the enviable award, having guided Ashantigold to their first Premier League title in 19 years.

However, the race could be narrowed down to a straight fight between Gyan and Ayew following their exploits in the Stars’ silver-winning campaign at AFCON 2015 in Equatorial Guinea, as well as their impressive club outings.

During the period, Gyan recorded another transfer move from Al Ain to Chinese side Shanghai SIPG, while Ayew was an instant hit for Welsh side Swansea City in the English Premier League, following his free transfer from French side Marseille.

Coincidentally, the Stars duo are also neck and neck for the Footballer of the Year award, alongside teammate Harrison Afful in an event which will also be graced by the Sports Minister, Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye.

Another interesting contest will be the Premier League Star of the Year category where Ashantigold’s Eric Opoku (who won the PLB version of the award)), Kennedy Ashia of Liberty Professionals and Wa All Stars agile goalkeeper Richard Ofori (Wa All Stars) are in contention.

The Black Queens have been shortlisted for the National Team of the Year.

Coach of the Year - Yusif Basigi (Black Queens, Hasaacas Ladies), Bashir Hayford (Ashgold), Henry Quansah (Golden Rackets); Richard Commey - Professional Boxer of the Year);

Most Promising Star - Joel Fameyeh;

Dedication and Valour - Stephen Oduro (Asante Kotoko); and Lifetime Achievement Award - Sophia Okuley (women’s football).

Special Awards will also be given to Asamoah Gyan (philanthropy).

In what could be described as one of the best SWAG Awards in recent times, about 700 guests drawn from the Diplomatic Corps, Members of Parliament, sports chiefs and athletes across the board will be in attendance, including the Chief Executive Officer of headline sponsor, MTN Ghana, Mr Ebenezer Asante.