Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM
Chanderpaul, Morgan sweep awards
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Alika Morgan
As predicted West Indies middle-order batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul and outstanding distance athlete Alika Morgan copped the top accolades when the panellists to select the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the 2008 met yesterday, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
The National Sports Commission Awards are given in recognition of the most outstanding Guyanese athletes, while media practitioners, sports personalities and associations are also rewarded for their contributions to the development of sports.
Chanderpaul gained the nod by a unanimous decision; winning by a margin of 11-0, while bodybuilder Sylvan Gardner edged West Indies rugby captain Claudius Butts 5-4 for the runner-up spot.
He has now surpassed former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd, who he equalled in 2007 with four awards each. Chanderpaul now leads the Sportsman of the Year awardees after becoming a five-time winner.
Clevon Rock
Rawle Welch
In the female department, last year’s junior sportswoman runner-up Alika Morgan’s performance in 2008 was so captivating that she walked away with both divisions to finally gain the respect she so rightly deserved.
Morgan was a clear 8-2 victor over former champion Nicolette Fernandes of Squash fame, while she also easily defeated another Squash player Keisha Jeffrey for the junior prize.
It was sweet revenge for the promising athlete who many felt should have won the crown since last year.
Junior Commonwealth Games boxing representative Clevon Rock won the Junior Sportsman of the Year award from swimmer Niall Roberts.
The Guyana Rugby Football Union, which had a sterling year, capturing both the Men’s and Ladies titles at the Caribbean Sevens Championships in the Bahamas, was declared the winner of the Sports Association of the Year. The male rugby team captured the Sports Team honour, while national football coach Wayne Dover was voted the Sports Coach of the Year.
Franklin Wilson
The Male Sports Personality of the Year award went to Guyana Amateur Boxing Association President Affeeze Khan, who beat cricket official Hilbert Foster for the top prize.
International football Referee Diane Ferreira-James was a convincing winner against Dr. Karen Pilgrim of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association, while Kaieteur News Rawle Welch was an overwhelming winner for the Sports Journalist (Print) of the year award.
Kaieteur News also got another significant accolade when Franklin Wilson was voted the best in the Sports Journalist of the Year for Photography ahead of Stabroek News’ Clairmonte Marcus.
Even though the panel agreed that none of the nominees gained at least 50% of the votes to gain the Sports Journalist (Non-Print) award, they, however, decided that Prime News’ Iva Wharton deserved honourable mention.
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