Accra (Greater Accra) 07 January 2002 - The
Sportswriters Association of Ghana (SWAG) has named Germany-based Ghanaian
international soccer star, Samuel Osei Kuffour, as the nation's Sportsman and
Footballer of the year.
A statement issued in Accra on Saturday and
signed by the association's secretary, Mr Emmanuel Amoako, said by this
achievement, Kuffour becomes the third footballer in the history of the SWAG
awards to have grabbed the two topmost awards at a go. Two footballers, who
achieved similar feats are Abedi Ayew Pele and Tony Yeboah.
During the year under review, Kuffour was part
of the Bayern Munich team that won the European Cup in May 2001 and also played
a key role in helping them win the German Bundesliga title. He also scored the
winner in the World Club final against Boca Juniors.
The association also named the national
Under-21 team, the Black Satellites, silver medallists at the recent World
Youth Championship as the Team of Year while the award of Coach of the Year
went to J.S. Sarpong for the role he played in saving Wonder Club Accra
Olympics, from the brink of relegation.
Champion Club, Accra Hearts of Oak retained
their title as the Top Scoring Club while the club's prolific striker, Ishmael
Addo, equalled Dan Owusu's record by winning the goal-king title for the third
time running.
Asante Kotoko's stalwart defender, Joe
Hendricks, came out tops as the Defender of the Year while former international
star, Emmanuel Ampeah, now with Alhaji Grunsah's King Faisal Babies, is to be
honoured for his Dedication and Valour.
Other award winners are Best Female Footballer
- Sheila Okine of Ghatel, Promising Star -John Painstil of Berekum Arsenals,
Referee of the Year - Alex Quartey, Best Male Athlete - Aziz Zakari, Best
Female Athlete - Vida Anim.
The rest are Volleyball Star - Awudu Shamza of
Kwamerk, Tennis Star - Gunther Darkey, Table Tennis Star - Christian Aboagye,
Handball Star - Hajarah Mahama. Hockey Star - James Bress of CEPS, Badminton
Star - Anthony Arthur and Judo Star of the Year - Buenor Agbugblah.
The statement said four organisations and an
individual will receive special awards. They are Cowbell - for sponsorship of
cycling, Despite Promotions - for the promotion of professional boxing, VALCO -
for sponsorship of schools football tournament, Ghana Telecom - for sustaining
the development of women football.
The chairman of Liberty Professionals, Alhaji
Sly Tetteh, is also to receive a special award for his immense contribution to
football development. The association said award winners in professional
boxing, golf, horse racing, netball and juvenile football will be announced
later. The date for the awards has been tentatively scheduled for March.
GRi…/
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