Johnson, Doris are joint Sportsmen, Thompson is Sportswoman of the Year

Apr 23, 2017 Sports

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-Sports Commission hosts glitzy National Award Ceremony

Guyana and West Indies cricketer, Leon Johnson and Olympic triple jump finalist

and double Diamond League silver medalist, Troy Doris were adjudged joint ‘Sportsman of the Year’ while sprinter, Brenessa Thompson was named ‘Sportswoman of the Year’ Friday night when the National Sports Commission (NSC) hosted its Award Ceremony and Dinner in the Savannah Suite of the Pegasus Hotel.
With radio personality Gordon Moseley as Master of Ceremonies, the nominees of the various categories, representatives of sports associations, stakeholders and special invitees descended at the venue for what turned into a glitzy evening of fashion, sports and entertainment. The occasion was to recognise the outstanding performances and contributions for the past year.
For his prolific scoring last year and leadership of the Guyana Jaguars Cricket Team, Johnson along with Doris, who leaped into history at the Olympic Games with his seventh place finish were inseparable among the nominees for ‘Sportsman of the Year’. Thompson also sprinted her way to the national accolade after performances last year that established national 100m and 200m records and an Olympic qualification time.
Minister within the Ministry of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry was quick to point out the regard Government has for its athletes. Henry, who has responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, was the featured speaker at the Ceremony.
“This awards ceremony represents the country’s high regard for the entire sports community.

It also indicates the Government’s total commitment to the promotion and development of sport and recreation among all Guyanese,” Henry told her audience, which included Minister of Legal Affairs, Attorney General, Basil Williams, S.C, Advisor to the Minister of Education, Vincent Alexander, members of the diplomatic community, Director of Sport, Christopher Jones among members of the Sports Commission.
“Tonight, we recognise and pay tribute to our talented sportsmen and women for being highly motivated, highly skilled and well-trained. I have to say also that your achievements could not have been possible without the selfless input and dedication from your trainers, Coaches, associations, federations and other stakeholders, who would have played a crucial part in some way or the other,” Henry observed.
The minister thanked all the sportsmen and women for representing Guyana to the best of their abilities and for making all Guyanese proud. She called athletes “heroes”, who brought glory to the nation and who have set an example worthy of emulation. In this regard, she singled out the successful CARIFTA Games team that was present at the Ceremony.
A member of that team, Chantoba Bright was awarded ‘Junior Sportswoman of the Year’ for her double silver medal performance at the 2016 CARIFTA Games. Bright won a gold and a bronze medal at the just-concluded 2017 Games in Curacao.
Table Tennis player, Kaysan Ninvalle was awarded ‘Junior Sportsman of the Year’ for gaining

Guyana’s lone gold medal at the Caribbean Championships last year among other performances deemed outstanding. At age 11-years, Ninvalle may go down as the youngest to have achieved the Junior Award.
Boxing Coach, Sebert Blake was named ‘Male Coach of the Year’, while Basketball Coach, Ann Gordon was identified as ‘Female Coach of the Year’. Lavern Fraser was handed ‘Female Sports Personality of the Year’ for her work as Sports Officer at the University of Guyana, while Kevon Bess took home the male award for his work in Bodybuilding.
Cricketer, Kevin Douglas won the Sportsman of the Year for Persons with Disability, while Leona Kyte was adjudged ‘Female Sports Official of the Year’. Guyana’s Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) was awarded ‘Most Improved Association/Federation of the Year’; Guyana’s Under-16 Male National Basketball Team took home the ‘Sports Team of the Year’ prize for reaching the Final of the Caribbean Championships last year and qualifying for the Central American Championships.
Guyana Chronicle’s, Tamica Garnett won the ‘Sports Journalist of the Year (Print)’ award, while National Communications Network, Travis Seymour took home the non-print ‘Sports Journalist of the Year’. E-Networks Newsroom’s, Treiston Joseph was given the ‘Sports Journalist of the Year (online)’ prize, and Capital News and ESN, Esan Griffith got the ‘Sports Photographer of the Year’ award.
Digicel Guyana Inc. took home the award for ‘Corporate Sponsor of the Year (Large Company)’, while P&P Insurance won the ‘Corporate Sponsor of the Year (Small Company)’ prize.

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