By Francis Ofori
Accra, Oct 8, GNA – The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), has announced nominees and top performers for the 50th edition of the most prestigious SWAG Awards.
The Golden Jubilee event promises to be a grand affair, honouring exceptional sports performers and personalities in various categories for the year under reviews and global sports icons.
The SWAG Awards has become a benchmark for excellence in Ghanaian sports, recognizing outstanding achievements and contributions to the country’s sporting landscape.
Personalities who will be decorated on the night as 50th Anniversary Ambassadors include Magaret Simpson (Athletics), Azumah Nelson (Boxing) Abedi Ayew Pele (Football), Michael Essien (Football), Kwadwo Asamoah (Football), Stephen Appiah (Football), Samuel Osei Kufour (Football), Adwoa Bayor and Alberta Sackey (Football).
The nomination process has been rigorous, with a team of experienced sports enthusiasts and experts carefully selecting the top contenders.
The SWAG Awards has a rich history of recognizing and celebrating excellence in Ghanaian sports.
Over the years, the awards have honored numerous sports personalities, including athletes, coaches, and administrators, who have made significant contributions to the country’s sporting landscape.
Below are the nominees:
COACH OF THE YEAR
Frimpong Manso – Gold Stars
James Kwesi Appiah – Sudan
REFEREE/UMPIRE OF THE YEAR
Daniel Laryea – Football
Francis Yeboah – Badminton
Clement Smith – Athletics
NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR
Black Queens
National Badminton Doubles Team
Golden Arms
Black Cranes
CLUB OF THE YEAR
Police Ladies
Kumasi Asante Kotoko
Faith Ladies
Bibiani Gold Stars
SWAG TOP 5 FEDERATIONS
Ghana Athletics
Ghana Armwrestling Federation
Ghana Badminton
Ghana Weightlifting Federation
Ghana Cricket Association
Ghana Rugby Football Union
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Abdul Rasheed Saminu
BOXER OF THE YEAR
Gideon Pappoe
George Dowuona
Mathias Ashittey
WEIGHTLIFTER OF THE YEAR
Emmanuel Amo Boateng
FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR – MALE (FOREIGN BASED)
Jordan Ayew – Leicester City
Antoine Semenyo – Bournemouth
Kudus Mohammed – Tottenham Hotspurs
FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR – FEMALE (FOREIGN BASED)
Grace Asantewaa – FC Juarez
Chantelle Boye Hlorkah – Nottingham Forest
FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR – MALE (HOME BASED)
Stephen Amankona – Berekum Chelsea
Benjamin Asare – Accra Hearts of Oak
Razak Simpson – Nations FC
FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR – FEMALE (LOCAL BASED)
Comfort Yeboah – Ampem Darkoa FC
STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Phillip Tetteh Odjer (Athletics) – Male
Moslina Adu (Badminton) – Female
DISCOVERY OF THE YEAR
Yayra Akos Agozi (Weightlifting) – Female
Michael Agyapong Mensah (Table Tennis) – Male
SWIMMER OF THE YEAR
Josel Mensah
BADMINTON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Obaponba Adu Minta
PULLER OF THE YEAR
Mabel Yeboah
PARA-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Zainabu Issah – Para-Athletics
MERITORIOUS AWARD
Moses Adu – Badminton
Husseini Akueteh Addy – Armwrestling
DEDICATION AND VALOUR
Portia Boakye – Football
Yaw Agyeman (Amando) – Athletics
SWAG LIFETIME ACHIVEMENT AWARD
Brestford Amui – Horse Racing/Administrator
Asamoah Gyan – Football
Andre Dede Ayew – Football
Anthony Yeboah – Football
SPORTS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR
Evans Kojo Yeboah – Badminton
TABLE TENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Emmanuel Commey/James Marfo
SWAG PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Mr. Henry Arko
50TH ANNIVERSARY AMBASSODORS
Magaret Simpson – Athletics
Azumah Nelson – Boxing
Abedi Ayew Pele – Football (Ligue 1)
Michael Essien – Football (EPL)
Kwadwo Asamoah/Stephen Appiah – Football (Seria A)
Samuel Osei Kufour – Football (Bundesliga)
Women’s Football –
Adwoa Bayor
Alberta Sackey
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade