Wisil, Aiye contenders

 TOEA Wisil and Dion Aiye are frontrunners for the 2012 SP Sports Awards.

Track star Wisil, pictured left,  is a strong contender for the Sportswoman of the Year award after an impressive run in the London Olympics and top three finishes at several Australian state championships.

Meanwhile, Gurias and Kumuls five-eighth Aiye, pictured right, is vying for the Sportsman of the Year award after claiming a Digicel Cup premiership with the Gurias and playing in the Prime Minister’s XIII challenge last year.

Both athletes are considered the best in their sports with Wisil heads and shoulders above her contemporaries while Aiye has been a permanent feature in the Kumuls halves since 2010.

The other two finalists for the woman’s award are taekwondo’s Theresa Tona and weightlifter Dika Toua. 

Cricketer Assad Vala, who had a strong 2012 with the bat at the Australian Country Cricket Championships and the Air Niugini Super Series, and PNG swim great Ryan Pini will ensure the male award is no hands down affair. 

With a total of 121 nominations, the awards selection panel announced its finalists in the 14 categories yesterday at the PNG Sports Foundation boardroom.

Panel member Numa Alu said the panel had a difficult time deciding on finalists with the number of quality nominations.

“There were a lot of nominations but unfortunately some had to missed out due to a lack of supporting documents,” Alu said.

In its 21st year of the event, nominations came as far as Kokopo, Oro, Kimbe, Lae, Goroka and Kundiawa.

Alu congratulated the finalists for making the top three and also the nominees that missed out.

“For the finalists, it’s a big achievement, but I commend all those nominees as well and thank the public for recognising their sporting heroes and their efforts,” he said.

The finalists for the 2013 SP Sports Awards: Sports Photo of the Year – Andrew Molen, Greg Cambell, Ekar Keapu (The National). 

Sports Media Award of the Year – NBC Radio, Kevin Teme (Post Courier), Sophie Yaruso (EM TV).

Technical Official of the Year – David Charles (soccer), Alu Kapa (cricket), Frank Robby (weightlifting).

Coach of the Year – Ferdinand Daroya (basketball), Michael Marum (rugby league), John Ovia (cricket).

Sports Administrator of the Year – Carl Mari (karate), Sophie Tuna (Para sports), Wencislaus Soatsin (taekwondo).

Best Sportsperson with Disability – Regina Edward (Para sport), Elias Larry (Para sport), Sandra Pora (Para-Sport). Distinguished Services to Sports – Api Leka (cricket), Stanley Nandex (kickboxing), Frank Robby (weightlifting).

Sports Club of the Year – Manalos (softball), Crushers (rugby league), Harlequins (rugby union).

Junior Female Athlete of the Year– Lorraine Harry (weightlifting), Cecilia Kuman (athletics), Barbara Vali (swimming).

Junior Male Athlete  – Junior Billy (karate), Butler Morris (rugby union), Fred Oala (weightlifting).

Community Sports Initiative Award – Major Sere Kala & Family (basketball), PNG Kickboxing Association (kickboxing), Tubusereia Basketball (basketball).

Team of the Year – Gurias (rugby league), Hebou Barramundis (cricket), Palais (women’s rugby 7s).

Sportswoman of the Year  – Theresa Tona (taekwondo), Dika Toua (weightlifting), Toea Wisil (athletics).

Sportsman of the Year – Dion Aiye (rugby league), Ryan Pini (swimming), Assad Vala (cricket).

The winners will be announced on the presentation night at Crown Plaza Hotel on May 25.