All is set for the 2007 National Sports Awards

When the final deadline of last Monday, January 21, was reached, twelve national sporting associations had submitted the requisite information to be judged for the 2007 National Sports Awards.{{more}}

The National Sports Awards is set for the Arnos Vale Playing Field on the night of Saturday, February 23.

The National Sports Council extended the previous deadline of December 28, 2007, to last Monday, to facilitate the usual stragglers.

Manager of the National Sports Council, Osbourne Browne, told SEARCHLIGHT that it had become the norm over the years for associations to be tardy in this regard, hence this year an extension of the deadline became once again necessary.

Browne said that this year’s awards would be done in the same format as previous years, with the usual categories of awards and recognition.

He, however, noted that there have been some minor changes to the judging criteria of the Sports Journalist of the Year, Sports Photographer of the Year, and the International Athlete of Year.

Apart from these awards, athletes would be vyeing for the Junior Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year, and the Senior Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year titles.

But the top award is that of Sports Personality of the Year. Other awards up for grabs include the Association of the Year and Coach of the Year.

Browne disclosed that the judges have already been chosen. Isaac Solomon is once again the Chief Judge for the awards for the athletes, associations and coaches. His panel also includes Woodrow Williams, Peggy Hull, Polly Olliver, Richard Todd and Earl Paynter.

Dick Neverson, Lance Neverson and Fitzroy Rogers will assess the sports photography segment, with a panel that includes Curtis King, Keith Joseph and Richard Mc Leish responsible for determining the Sports Journalist of the Year.

The annual National Sports Awards is an exercise that puts athletes, associations and coaches center stage, to highlight and reward their efforts.

At last year’s ceremony, netballer Saska Diamond walked away with the prestigious title of Sports Personality of 2006, with middle distance athlete Kineke Alexander penning her name on the title of International Athlete of the Year.

The theme for this year’s awards ceremony is “Building Bridges through Sports”.(RT)