Ayew, Afful, Gyan battle for top SWAG award

Black Stars trio of skipper, Asamoah Gyan, Dede Ayew and Harrison Afful are running neck-and-neck in an intriguing race for the 2014 Footballer of the Year award as the 40th edition of the MTN- Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Awards Night takes centre stage at the Banquet Hall of the State House tomorrow.

In the absence of the flagship Sports Personality of the year award for want of qualified candidates, the three top performers will be vying for the most prestigious prize on the night as the Kwabena Yeboah-led SWAG executive attempts to raise the bar a notch higher in their maiden shot at the event.

Obviously, the excellent performances of the characters involved for both club and country make the race too close to call, especially considering how they all shone during the Black Stars’ disappointing Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign.

Likewise, the choice for the Premiership Player of the Year honours which is reserved for home-based players will not be any easier with Asante Kotoko defenders Abeiku Ainooson and Kwabena Adusei (now in South Africa), vying with former Bechem United striker, Augustine Okrah.

Beyond the two top soccer awards are some equally attractive honours which will surely add to the night’s glitz and glamour.

One of such star attractions will be UK-based latest boxing sensation and Commonwealth and IBF lightweight champion, Richard Commey, who has flown down purposely to be decorated with the Professional Boxer of the Year award.

Discovery of the Year and Athlete of the Year, Martha Bissah, who won a historic gold medal at the Youth Olympics in China last year but stirred controversy prior to the All Africa Games after failing to make the grade, will also add some spice to the event.

Others in line for honours tomorrow are Sharon Akwei, (Promising Star of the Year), Jennifer Cudjoe, (Female Footballer of the Year), Umar Abdul Walid, (Amateur Boxer of the Year), Razak Abugri, (Judoka of the Year), Sharon Akwei, (Tae-kwondo Player of the Year), and Elizabeth Opoku, (Hockey Player of the Year).

The rest are Isaac Nii Odartey Lamptey (Martha Bissah’s trainer) — Coach of the Year, Ali Jaraa — Dedication and Valour and Joseph Odarlai Lamptey — Referee of the Year.

Special Awards will also go to the national hockey coach, Edmund Zankoh, Anthony Baffoe (FIFA General Match Coordinator), Magnus Rex Danquah, Akolya Pattel, McDan Ghana Limited and Dwadifo Adanfo.