Premier League Board confers honours on outstanding performers

Accra, Sept. 6, GNA - The Premier League Board (PLB) on Saturday conferred honours on individuals and organisation who distinguished themselves in the just ended Glo Premier League soccer season. 13 individuals received various awards for their excellent performances in the League whilst six organisations were also honoured for their distinguished role in the success of the League. Leading the list of individual awards was Joseph Ato Bissah of Sekondi Eleven Wise who emerged as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) who beat Latif Salifu of Liberty Professionals and Iddrisu Yahaya of Kessben FC.

The central defender of Bechem Chelsea, Lee Addy was voted the defender of the season as he scaled over challenges from Nafiu Awudu of King Faisal and Bright Addae of Wa All Stars.

Philemon McCarthy of Accra Hearts of Oak and member of the national team, the Black Stars took the Goalkeeper of the Season Award after he beat Isaac Amoako of Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Stephen Ahorlu of Kpando Heart of Lions, whilst young sensation Tawrick Djibrile of Hearts won the Most Promising Player of the Year Award beating his team mate Obed Ansah and Ato Bissah of Sekondi Hasaacas.

Alex Asamoah of Kotoko had no difficulty in taking home the Top Scorer Award after he banged in 16 goals in the League with relegated Sporting Mirren's top marksman Mahatma Otoo emerging as the Discovery of the Season leaving behind Issaka Ibrahim of Bechem Chelsea and Bright Addae of Wa All Stars.

Paa Kwesi Fabin, head coach of Heart of Lions was voted Best Coach of the Season shrugging off challenges from Stephen Pollack of King Faisal and Hebert Addo of Kumasi Asante Kotoko.

Gbese Mantse Nii Ayi Bonte II, known in private life as Mr Thomas Okine of Hearts of Oak was adjudged the Most Outstanding Chief Executive Officer of the Season, ahead of Sam Oduro Nyarko of Wa All Stars and Vincent Odotei Sowah of King Faisal.

Nii Ayi Bonte II was also given a special certificate of recognition for his contribution to the development of the game.

On the referees' front, Class One Referee Samuel K. Gyasi came out as the Best Referee of the Season after he beat two other FIFA Referees Joseph O. Lamptey and Cecil Fletcher, whilst FIFA Assistant Referee David Laryea won the Best Assistant Referee of the Season, over another FIFA Assistant Referee Haruna Ayuba and Class One Assistant Referee David N. Adjin.

Match Commissioners were not left out of the awards with Kwabena Adjei Sarpong being voted the Most Outstanding Match Commissioner ahead of Augustine Asante and J. K. Boateng.

The media front saw Samuel Ebo Kwaitoo of Graphic Group Communications Limited (GGCL) winning the Best Print Football Journalist Award with Christopher Opoku picking the Electronic version of the award.

Metro TV won the Best Television Football Station award whilst Happy FM won the Football Radio Station.

Supporters of Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals won the Best Behaved Supporters Group with Bechem Chelsea taking home the Fair Play Award.

Accra Hearts of Oak, Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Heart of Lions and King Faisal were presented with certificates and cash prizes for placing first, second third and fourth respectively in the just ended premiership.

Various sponsors of the PLB and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) were also given certificates of recognition.