Sports champions in our communities must be given more recognition, says Director of High Performance Sports, Aaron Alsop.
“Big congratulations to all the finalists with special mention to all the category winners announced at the SP PNG Sports Awards on Saturday in Port Moresby,” Alsop said.
He further proposed for the creation of additional categorises to recognise community sports administrators.
“I'd like to propose that the following categories be suggested for addition to the list of awards recognised next year. They play an incredible role in sport and the lives of many athletes,” Alsop said.
And the categories are; Senior Coach of the Year, Junior Coach of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Community Sport Event of the Year and Support Personnel of the Year.
“Coaches, volunteers and support staff are all too often forgotten and rarely thanked for their service to our community through sport,” Alsop said.
“It wouldn't happen without them and they play the key relationship role in an athlete's development.”
Meanwhile, the winners of the 2017 SP Sports Awards are:
Sports Media of the Year: EMTV sports coverage (Electronic Media)
Sports Photo of the Year: Golden Girl - Nicolette Ageva by Mark Talia (Post-Courier)
Sports Official of the Year: Frank Robby (Weightlifting)
Community Sports Initiative: Girls Empowerment Though Cricket (Cricket PNG)
Best Sportsperson with a disability: Joyleen Jeffrey (Para Athletics)
People’s Choice Award: Colin Geno (Rugby League)
Junior Male Athlete of the Year: Ryan Maskelyne (Swimming)
Junior Female Athlete of the Year: Violet Apisah (Tennis)
National Performance of the Year: Lae Snax Tigers (Rugby League)
Female Athlete of the Year: Thelma Toua (Weightlifting)
Team of the Year: PNG Kapuls (Football)
Male Athlete of the Year: Morea Baru (Weightlifting)
(File picture)