NSC National Sports Awards …
GUYANA’S 2010 sports personalities will be made known today when the panel, led by Chairman of the National Sports Council (NSC) Conrad Plummer, and including well-known columnist Dr Ian McDonald sits at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) from 10:00 h. World-renowned bodybuilder Hugh Arlington Ross who last October landed his first Mr Universe Master title is a top contender for the National Sportsman-of-the-Year, having a total of seven nominations from the Guyana Amateur and Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) and the Guyana Hockey Board of Control (GHBC) among others.
The 51-year-old Ross, who is a former Captain of the Guyana Defence Force and now resides in Queens, New York, was a former national powerlifting champion, culminating that phase of his career with the USA Masters National Powerlifting championship in 2000.
He made several trips back to Guyana and none was more memorable than in 2008 when he appeared on stage at the first-ever Hugh Ross Classics (HRC) held to honour his achievements in the sport of bodybuilding on the international scene.
Strong competition will come from Kevin Jeffrey, Richard Chin, Guyana and West Indies ‘A’ team leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, the Caribbean’s best powerlifter Randolph Morgan and national long distance king Cleveland Forde.
On the distaff side, multiple winner and national squash queen Nicolette Fernandes will be facing down the competitors’ alley which is lined with names of the calibre of track queen Aliann Pompey, Guyana and West Indies female all-rounder Shemaine Campbell and Women’ International Boxing Association (WIBA) featherweight champion Shaundell ‘Mystery Lady’ Alfred.
Alfred turned back the threats of Colombia’s Olga Julio, with a unanimous decision victory in their six-round matchup on Carwyn Holland’s ‘Caribbean Fury 2’ at the Princess Hotel last November, having stopped Canada’s Corrine Van Ryck De Groot at the same venue earlier in the year to retain the title.
Junior sprint king Chavez Ageday leads the race for the Junior Sportsman-of-the-Year award, having received his nomination from the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA), but the panel will have names such as Narayan Ramdhani, Jason Ray Khalil, Amir Khan, Taffin Khan and Ronaldo Rodrigues.
Table Tennis sensation Chelsea Edghill leads the nominations for the Junior Sportswoman-of-the-Year award, having received three nominations from the Guyana Amateur Weightlifting Association (GAWA), Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) and the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB).
The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) refused to be left out, nominating their very own Jevina Straker for the said award, with the GABA throwing their weight behind the junior middle distance queen, whose training partner is none other than long distance queen Alika Morgan.
Other awards that will be distributed include Sports Journalist (Photographer) in which Stabroek News’ Orlando Charles is the lone nominee, Sports Journalist (Print and Non-print), Sports Association, Most Improved Association, Male and Female Sports Official, Male and Female Coach, Sports Team and Persons with Disability (PWD).