Laureus Awards 2016: Djokovic, Williams, Messi, Spieth All Win

Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams claimed the top accolades at this year’s Laureus World Sports Awards.

The tennis duo were named sportsman and sportswoman of the year at the Berlin ceremony for their 2015 achievements.

Djokovic, 28, reached all four Grand Slam finals, winning three of them, a feat emulated by Williams, 34.

Brazil’s Paralympic swimmer Daniel Dias was named disabled sportsperson of the year after winning seven golds at the IPC Swimming World Championships.

Other awards

Team of the Year: New Zealand, who won the Rugby World Cup

Comeback of the Year: Rugby player Dan Carter, who helped the All Blacks become champions after missing the 2011 final because of injury

Breakthrough of the Year: US golfer Jordan Spieth, who won the Masters and US Open

Action Sportsperson of the Year: German triathlete Jan Frodeno, who became World Ironman champion

Athlete of the Year: Argentina and Barcelona footballer Lionel Messi

Lifetime Achievement Award: Three-time Formula 1 world champion Niki Lauda

Spirit of Sport Award: Dutch football legend Johan Cruyff

Cruyff, who died of cancer aged 68 on 24 March, was recognised for his work helping to deliver sport-related projects for underprivileged children around the world.

“He represented everything that was good about sport,” said Laureus World Sports Academy chairman Edwin Moses.

Credit: BBC

Laureus Awards 2016: Djokovic, Williams, Messi, Spieth All Win

Excited Ropapa Vows To Win More Awards

Inter Allies sensational forward Ropapa Mensah is confident of winning more accolades at the end of the season after winning the Club’s February Player of the Month Award.

The teen sensation racked home Inter Allies first league goal of the season before setting up Isaac Twum with a sumptuous assist in a 2-0 opening day triumph over Liberty Professionals, has pledged to replicate such feat in the coming weeks.

The gargling attacker revealed his excitement at winning such a prestigious individual accolade in an Inter Allies side that is full of fantastic players.

Mensah extended his fine form at the end of the 2014/15 FCPPL into the early part of the 2016 domestic league to hijack headlines across the country.

The slippery forward reveals drawing enough motivation from the award as he prepares to shoulder more responsibilities for Herbert Addo’s men.

“Winning the player of the month is enough to motivate any player to aspire for more of such awards.

“Personally it will motivate me to work harder since people will be trying to see what this Mensah boy can do or has been doing.

“I am trying to add goals to my game as an attacker across the season.

“To defend the award I have to play better than I did in February since my colleagues are also improving on regular basis.” Mensah told sportscrusader.

On his maiden call up to the National Under 20 team, Mensah remains modest of braking into the first team action with improved performances.

“The Under 20 call up will boost my confidence level across the season as a player.

“It shows that people are watching me from on weekly basis and I have to lift my game to seal my place in the team.

“I am really excited at getting the opportunity to show my worth as a player in the national colours.” Mensah revealed.

The lanky forward stormed the GPL last season with his quick feet for then Papa Kwesi’s Inter Allies on his arrival to the domestic scene.

Ropapa Mensah passed on a number of offers from the local scene so as to continue his development at the Tema Park under the watchful eyes.

Excited Ropapa Vows To Win More Awards

SWAG Awards fixed for May 28, 2016

The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has said the 41st edition of the MTN-SWAG Awards will be held on May 28, at the Banquet Hall State House, Accra.

Addressing a press conference in Accra on Monday, Mr. Kwabena Yeboah President of SWAG said unlike previous years when the event was held deep in the year, they have resolved to organised it by close of May 2016.

He said this will make the event much more current and relevant as the nominees will remain fresh in the minds of the people.

He said, the Association will ensure the necessary measures are put in place to ensure they stick to the timeline given.

Mr. Yeboah also noted that, plans are place to organised the 2016 event in December this years as the measure to align the calendar with the trend of the event.

Mr Yeboah announced nominees for the 41st event with Andre Ayew, Bashiru Hayford, Yussif Bassigi and Asamoah Gyan seeking honours in the most prestigious Sports Personality of the Year Award.

SWAG Awards fixed for May 28, 2016

PRESS RELEASE: SWAG release list of Award Winners for 2015

Sports Personality of the Year:

1. Andre Ayew

2. Asamoah Gyan

3. Yusif Basigi

4. Bashiru Hayford

Footballer of the Year (male):

1. Andre Ayew

2. Asamoah Gyan

3. Harrison Afful

Footballer of the Year (female):

1. Portia Boakye

2. Samira Sulemana

3. Janet Egyiri

Premier League Star:

1. Eric Opoku (Ahsgold)

2. Kennedy Ashia (Liberty Pros)

3. Richard Ofori (Wa All Stars)

National Team of the Year:

1. Black Queens

2. George Darko/ Wisdom Narh Adjrago (All Africa Games Gold medal-winning tennis duo)

Coach of the Year:

1. Yusif Basigi (Black Queens, Hasaacas Ladies)

2. Bashiru Hayford (Ashgold)

3. Henry Quansah (Golden Rackets)

Pro Boxer of the Year:

Richard Commey

Amateur Boxer of the Year:

David Bawa (heavyweight bronze medallist at All Africa Games)

Athlete of the Year (male):

John Ampomah (javelin silver medallist at All Africa Games, two national records and consistency in 2015)

Athlete of the Year (female):

Nadia Eke (All Africa Games triple jump bronze medallist, new national record)

Para Athlete of the Year:

Patrick Yaw Obeng (1,500m & 800m bronze in T54 category)

Hockey Player of the Year (male):

Johnny Botsio

Hockey Player of the Year (female):

Nafisatu Umaru

Table Tennis Star of the Year:

Felix Lartey, Bernard Joesam, Emmanuel Commey, Derrick Abrefa (All Africa Games team bronze)

Judo Star of the Year (female):

Szandra Szogoli (All Africa Games 63kg bronze)

Judo Star of the Year (male):

Emmanuel Nartey (All Africa 60kg bronze)

Taekwondo Star of the Year:

David Adjetey (84kg silver medallist)

Association Chairman of the Year:

Frederick Otu Lartey (Taekwondo Association)

Discovery of the Year: (joint)

Richard Seklorwu (long jump gold medallist, Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa)

Joseph Tindan Kuyon (silver medallist, World Children Taekwondo Culture Festival in South Korea)

Most Promising Star:

Joel Fameyeh (Asokwa Deportivo/Local Black Stars — 36 goals in 34 games in DOL)

Dedication and Valour:

Stephen Oduro (Asante Kotoko)

Lifetime Achievement Award:

Sophia Okulley (women’s football)

C.K. Gyamfi (posthumous)

Special Awards:

Asamoah Gyan (sports philanthropy)

Eben Annang Whyte (development of table tennis)

Police Women’s Hockey team (bronze medallist, African Clubs Championship)

PRESS RELEASE: SWAG release list of Award Winners for 2015

Just A Matter Of Time: Ayew Shouldn"t Lose Hope - Golden Boy

Dede Will Win Sooner Than Later – Ghana Legend

Andre Dede Ayew came third too Yaya Toure and Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng at the GLO/CAF awards ceremony in Abuja on Thursday.

 

The annual event is organised to celebrate and recognise individuals, teams and legends for their contribution to the development of the game. Gabon and BVB Dortmund striker, Aubamayeng beat favourite Yaya Toure to the crown to many surprise if not disappointment and has had many question why and how Toure and perhaps Ayew lost.

Former Ghana international, Abdul Razak (Golden Boy)

Toure has expressed his disappointment when he returned to his club side, Manchester City in an interview to the Mirror newspaper but Andre is yet to speak but many Ghanaian greats have spoken on his behalf.

‘Golden boy’ and Ghanaian legend Abdul Karim Razak has added his voice but his is more of comforting and encouragement for the 26 – year old Swansea city attacking midfielder.

In an interview with Boss FM 93.7 in Kumasi, Razak said,”every country is performing well in football now. We (as Ghanaians in reference to players) need to up their game and perform better than they are now.

Ayew might have lost today but that should not keep him down, it should rather motivate him. t won’t be long before he has his hands on it (CAF African footballer of the year award).”

 

 

He added, “Sammy Kufuor (former Bayern Munich and Black stars defender) came close in 2001 (when he lost it to Senegalese forward, El Hadji Diouf) and now him (Dede), so he should just keep the performance and will soon be recognised as king of African football.

Just A Matter Of Time: Ayew Shouldn"t Lose Hope - Golden Boy

Full list of winners of 2015 Glo CAF Awards

Full list of winners of 2015 Glo CAF Awards

AFRICAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR: – Pierre-Emerick AUBAMEYANG (Gabon)

AFRICAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR – BASED IN AFRICA: – Mbwana Aly SAMATTA

WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR: – Gaelle ENGANAMOUIT (Cameroon)

YOUTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR: – Victor OSIMHEN (Nigeria)

MOST PROMISING TALENT OF THE YEAR: – Etebo Peter OGHENEKARO (Nigeria)

COACH OF THE YEAR: – Herve RENARD (France) – Former Coach of Cote d’Ivoire

REFEREE OF THE YEAR: – Bakary Papa GASSAMA (Gambia)

NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR: – Cote d’Ivoire

WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR: – Cameroon

CLUB OF THE YEAR: – TP Mazembe (DR Congo)

AFRICAN LEGEND: – Charles Kumi GYAMFI (Ghana)

– Samuel MBAPPE LEPPE (Cameroon)

Full list of winners of 2015 Glo CAF Awards

Joel Fameye fired up after Division One League Awards snub

Sensational Joel Fameye has expressed his readiness to fight for more laurels after missing out on the Division One Player of the Year Award.

The Asorkor Deportivo forward racked home 25 impressive strikes in the second tier league but missed out on the most promising player of the year, at the maiden end of season awards.

The much sort after striker has been tipped to blossom into one of th deadliest forward in the nation.

Windy Professional wing wizard Enock Atta Agyei shook off Joel for the Most Promising Player of the season whiles Lukeman Dawuda 28 goals landed him the Golden boot.

The teen sensation promised to use the snub as a platform to fight for more accolades in the coming season irrespective of the league he will feature in.

He was however still in a limbo as to whether to move up the Premier league or try build on his monstrous scoring form for Deportivo in the GN Bank Division One League.

“There are more awards ahead of me and if I can work very hard towards them, I can win more in the near future.

“I don’t think I was done as I congratulate all award winners at the ceremony.

I rather want to use this near miss as a motivation to work harder than to sit back and get disappointed. I am not disappointed one bit but rather charged for more in the future”. Fameyeh told www.sportscrusader.com exclusively.

A scramble for the Ghana Youth international look set to heat up in the coming days as the transfer window heads to its home streek. Joel enjoyed a dream start to his national team career with a brace at home to Ivory Coast in the 2016 CHAN qualifications as the local black stars crushed out on a 2-2 aggregate.

Joel Fameye fired up after Division One League Awards snub