Halimah to address sports awards

Halimah De Shong will deliver the feature address at the 2004 National Sports Awards, which will be held at the Methodist Church Hall in Kingstown on the night of Saturday, February 5.

De Shong, who is currently pursuing her Masters degree at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados, last October became the first Vincentian to deliver the valedictory speech at that institution. {{more}}

Her choice to speak at this country’s premiere sports award ceremony makes her the youngest person thus far to be afforded such a privilege.

The 25-year-old De Shong has captained this country’s Senior Netball team at regional tournaments.

Three corporate entities and an individual will receive special awards at next month’s event.

Cable and Wireless, St. Vincent Brewery and the National Lotteries Authority will be recognized for their contribution to sports in St. Vincent and the Grenadines over the years.

The indefatigable Larry Bascombe will receive a special award for his yeoman service to sports namely football, softball, cricket and netball.

Awards will be presented for the Coach of the Year, the Association of the Year, Junior Sportsman of the Year, Junior Sportswoman of the Year, Senior Sportsman of the Year, and Senior Sportswoman of the Year.

The top prize of Sports Personality of the Year will also be presented. The prize may not necessarily come from the list of awardees as submitted by the various sporting associations.

Basketballer Adonal Foyle, who plays for the Golden State Warriors in the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States, was named the 2003 Sports Personality at last year’s awards ceremony.

The other three categories to be awarded are Sports Photograph of the Year, Best Sports Article of the Year and Sports Journalist of the Year.