The National Sports Commission (NSC) officially rewarded the recipients of the 2010 national sports awards with their silverware Friday night at the National Cultural Centre.
In addition to the awardees, a number of dignitaries came out for the awards ceremony, including President Bharrat Jagdeo, Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports Dr Frank Anthony, Director of Sports Neil Kumar and heads of various sporting bodies, among others.
Prior to the presentation of awards to the winners in their respective categories, Dr Anthony, in his remarks, congratulated the awardees, whom he hailed for aiding the NSC and the Sports Ministry “to complete another significant year in sport.
“You have made this nation extremely proud by your dedication and commitment to excellence… We hope that your achievements will continue to inspire the next generation of sportsmen and women,” said dr Anthony.
He recapped the successes of the past year in the various sporting disciplines both locally and internationally, including the hosting of international tournaments and the achievements of some of Guyana’s athletes both abroad and on home soil.
He related that the successes of last year were proof that “there is vibrancy in the sports sector of Guyana” at personal, community and national levels.
Dr Anthony also highlighted the building and renovation of sports facilities which his ministry has completed and is currently working towards completing.
“These are all tangible ways in which the government has invested in sports; by developing the necessary facilities,” said Dr Anthony.
He charged that he was “extremely proud” of the awardees, who are on a path to receive higher awards if their level of competitiveness and excellence is maintained.
“The government and indeed all of Guyana is really proud of your achievements. I want to extend my sincerest thanks to all of our sportsmen and women who proudly wear our colours around the globe, representing us and overcoming the various obstacles in your quest for excellence.”
At the presentation that followed shortly after Dr Anthony’s remarks, awards in the form of trophies were presented the 2010 awardees, mainly Sportsman of the Year, Hugh Ross and Sportswoman of the Year, Shondel Alfred.
Among other awardees receiving trophies were: Chavez Ageday (Junior Sportsman of the Year), Chelsea Edghill (Junior Sportswoman of the Year), Walter Grant-Stewart (Differently Able Sportsman of the Year), Seibert Blake (Male Sports Coach of the Year), Peter Green (Male Sports Personality) and dr Karen Pilgrim (Female Sports Personality).
A representative of the national female football team (Lady Jaguars) received their award for National Sports Team of the Year, while a representative of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Association received their Association of the Year award.
Other awards were received by the Guyana Table Tennis Association (Most Improved Association), Orlando Charles (Sports Photographer of the Year) and Jermaine Carter (Sports Journalist of the Year – Non-print).
Kumar also spoke to the gathering, giving the director’s report, while Ross responded on behalf of the recipients and Permanent Secretary within the Sports Ministry, Alfred King delivered the vote of thanks.
