37th Edition of MTN/ SWAG Awards fixed for June 9, 2012

Accra, April 24, GNA - The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has fixed Saturday, June 9, for the 37th Edition of the MTN/SWAG Awards Night scheduled for the Banquet Hall, State House, Accra.

The event, which is aimed at rewarding distinguished sports men and women in the year 2011, will have 25 individuals and institutions mounting the podium to be decorated with medals, certificates and trophies.

A statement from the secretariat of the Association, said the event which has over the years' been given an international touch by the organizers, will be graced by Mr Gianni Merlo, President of the Association of International Press for Sports, (AIPS) the Minister of Youth and Sports, Clement Humado Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Worlanyo Agra, members of the Diplomatic Corps and sports personalities and a number of high profile Traditional Rulers.

The statement said the traditional headline sponsors MTN Ghana, the nation's leading communication outfit in the country will remain sponsors of the prestigious event, as this year marks the third year of the company's relationship with the Association.

It said over the past two years, MTN Ghana has demonstrated its commitment to the development of sports in the country as well as the activities of the Association, adding that 2012 will be no exception to the contributions of the leading communications company.

It said the 37th Edition will seek to cement the long standing relationship between the Association and MTN.

It said the Football of the Year Award and Sports Personality of the Year will feature prominently on the list of award winners as the flagship awards of the Night.

According to the statement, the two categories will be determined by public voting which will take 40 percent of the votes, with the membership of the Association taking 60% of the votes.

It said the Sports Personality of the Year Award will be competed for by double gold medalist at the 2011 All Africa Games, Ajara Mohammed, Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Champions League winner, Harrison Afful and Black Stars player Andre Dede Ayew, whilst the Footballer of the Year Award will have Afful and Ayew battling with Emmanuel Agyeman Badu for honours.

The statement said the sporting public will have the opportunity to participate in the selection process through a special MTN short text code that will be announced later with attractive prizes for participants with the highest number of text messages.

It stated that the Association will in the first week of May perform the official launch of the event at the Accra Sports Stadium.

GNA