NSC to host National Sports Awards on November 8

The National Sports Commission (NSC) will on November 8 celebrate the achievements of Guyana’s finest athletes, coaches, and officials at its Annual National Sports Awards, where the country’s sporting excellence in 2024 will take centre stage.

Following the review of submissions from national federations, the NSC’s committee, tasked with reviewing, deliberating, and selecting winners across all categories, recently concluded its assessment.

Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, commended the panel for ensuring a transparent and merit-based selection process that recognises the very best of Guyana’s sporting talent.

Leading the spotlight this year is national footballer Omari Glasgow, Guyana’s all-time leading goal scorer, who headlines the nominees for Sportsman-of-the-Year.

Glasgow’s remarkable performance in the CONCACAF Nations League saw him earn both the Best Young Player Award and the Top Scorer Award, as he guided the Golden Jaguars to a historic promotion to League A.

The 21-year-old, who has now tallied 21 goals in 33 international appearances, is joined on the shortlist by Bodybuilder Nicholas Albert, who captured his IFBB Pro Card in 2024, Olympian Emanuel Archibald, and national cricketer Ashmead Nedd.

The race for Junior Sportsman-of-the-Year features four promising stars, track athletes Kaidon Persaud and Malachi Austin, swimmer Raekwon Noel, and chess prodigy Sachin Pitamber, each having impressed on the regional and international stages.

In the women’s category, the Sportswoman-of-the-Year nominees include two of Guyana’s top squash players, Nicolette Fernandes and Ashley Khalil, alongside Taekwondo athlete Ceili Peterson and bodybuilding sensation Rosanna Fung, who continues to elevate Guyana’s presence in global fitness arenas.

Meanwhile, Junior Sportswoman-of-the-Year nominee Athaleyah Hinckson stands out after claiming Guyana’s first-ever gold medal in the CARIFTA Games Under-17 Women’s 100m, and following up with victory at the South American Under-20 Championships.

She faces competition from fellow track standout Tianna Springer, the CARIFTA 400m champion, among other rising stars.

In the Coach-of-the-Year category, Julian Edmonds, the coach for both Austin and Hinckson at the Running Brave Track Club, will go up against Ryan Hercules (cricket) and Joseph “Bill” Wilson of the Guyana Defence Force Football Club, each having played instrumental roles in their athletes’ success.

The Association-of-the-Year will be contested by four of Guyana’s most proactive governing bodies, the Guyana Basketball Federation, Guyana Chess Association, Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, and the Guyana Golf Association.

For the Sports Official-of-the-Year, the male nominees include GBF president Michael Singh, FIFA referee Shavin Greene, Vidish Sookram (bodybuilding), and Kerwyn Johnson, while Natasha George, Denisha Isaacs, and Aileen Bowman-Joseph lead the female category.

The Media Awards will see Rawle Toney (Kaieteur News), Michelangelo Jacobus (Stabroek News), Jemima Holmes (Guyana Times), Akeem Greene (News Room) and Eric Collymore (NCN) recognised for their outstanding coverage and promotion of sports throughout 2024.

Meanwhile, NAMILCO, ANSA McAL, ENet, Bluewater Shipping, MVP Sports, ExxonMobil, Trophy Stall and Sublime Security have all been shortlisted for Corporate Sponsor-of-the-Year, acknowledging their significant investment in local sport.

As anticipation builds for November 8, Ninvalle emphasised that the ceremony will not only celebrate athletic success but also recognise the dedication, discipline and unity that continue to drive Guyana’s sporting development forward.