SWAG to honour 20 sports personalities

The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) will on Saturday, September 7 honour 20 sportsmen and women who distinguished themselves in their various disciplines last year.

The awards night, which will be the 27th edition, has been slated for the plush La Palm Royal Hotel and would also witness the conferment of special awards on four corporate organisations and an individual who have played special roles in the promotion of sports in the country.

A statement signed and issued in Accra by Mr. Emmanuel Amoako, secretary of the association said the delay in the organisation of the programme this year was due to the difficulty in sourcing for fund.

Among the sports men and women to be awarded are, Germany based international soccer star, Samuel Osei Kuffour who would receive double honours as sportsman and footballer of the year.

Other award winners are Sheila Okine, female footballer of the year, Ishmeal Addo goal king , Joe Hendricks, defender of the year, Emmanuel Ampeah, dedication and valour, Alex Quartey, referee of the year, Aziz Zakari, athlete of the year, Vida Anim, female athlete of the year, Shamshu Awudu, volleyball star of the year, Gunther Darkey, tennis star of the year and Christian Aboagye table tennis star of the year.

Others are Hajara Mahama, handball star of the year, Buernor Agbugbla Judoist of the year, James Bress, hockey star of the year, Anthony Arthur badminton star of the year and JE Sarpong, coach of the year.

Accra Hearts of Oak will pick the best scoring club of the year award, while team of the year goes to the Black Satellites.

Despite Promotions and VALCO would also be awarded for promotion of boxing and the revival of schools soccer respectively, while Alhaji Sly Tetteh, chairman and founder of Liberty Professionals takes an award for the development of soccer.

Wonder Foods Limited (COWBELL) would also receive a special award for the promotion of cycling.

The statement thanked companies and individuals whose contributions have finally made it possible for SWAG to hold the awards night and hoped that subsequent editions would be held on schedule.