Sports Awards launched

The National Sports

By PATRICIA KEAMO
NOMINATIONS for the South Pacific Brewery-sponsored Sports Awards’ 32nd edition was opened yesterday in Port Moresby.
The annual event, which The National is a sponsor, recognises various sporting achievements with 32 years of partnership between SP, PNG Olympic Committee and the PNG Sports Foundation.
SP’s corporate affairs manager John Nilkare, who opened nominations through an online portal, outlined the importance of the event’s theme “discipline starts with you”.
He said the theme acknowledged that self-discipline was the responsibility of athletes both on and off the field.
“While this event recognises sporting achievements and excellence, the fundamental aspect of it is discipline,” Nilkare said.
“The increase of violence in sports by players and spectators can spoil a pleasant family outing and detract from the essence of the competition.”
Athletes, officials, sporting federations and the general public are urged to nominate their preferred sportsmen or women for the respective categories over the next seven weeks before the deadline on April 19. Nominations can be submitted via mail through drop-off locations (SP and PNGSF offices around the country), by email or through the online portal.
After the close of nominations, the selection panel will deliberate on nominations for two weeks before the finalists are announced on May 9 with awards night set for June 1.
The categories include:

  • MALE athlete of the year;
  • FEMALE athlete of the year;
  • TEAM of the year;
  • NATIONAL performance of the year;
  • PARA-athlete of the year;
  • COMMUNITY sport initiative of the year;
  • JUNIOR male athlete of the year;
  • JUNIOR female athlete of the year;
  • SPORTS official of the year;
  • SPORTS media of the year; and,
  • SPORTS photo of the year.

The public will choose the people’s choice award of the year via text messaging.
Nilkare said 60 per cent of nominations were submitted online last year and they were anticipating an increase this year.
Online voting was introduced to the Sports Awards for the first timelast year.