FOR the second year running, the SMB Exhibition Hall at Roche Caïman will host the Sports Awards of the Year crowning ceremony scheduled for January 24, 2003, Mr Hugh Adam, chairman of the Organising Committee, has told Sports Nation.

The traditional end-of-the-year gala, during which the best male and female athletes of one particular sporting season are rewarded for their efforts, is one of the most eagerly-awaited nights in sports here.

This year's 19th edition of the ceremony, organised by the Ministry of Local Government, Sports and Culture, is expected to be another glittering and glamorous crowning as has been the case in the past.

Tickets for the evening will go on sale early January and will cost R200 and will include dinner.

According to Mr Adam, because last year's event, which took place at the SMB Exhibition Hall, was a success, the spacious venue, which can accommodate a large number of guests, has been chosen once again to host the 2002 Sports Awards ceremony.

"The SMB Exhibition Hall has been chosen once again because it is spacious and as we are encouraging maximum public participation, we think that the place is ideal," he said, adding that around R450,000 must be raised in order to make the event possible.

Mr Adam, who is also the managing director of the National Sports Council, noted that the five finalists will receive the same cash prizes as their predecessors.

The successors of both outgoing Sportslady of the Year Helda Marie and Sportsman of the Year Allen Julie will each receive the traditional star prize of R15,000, the huge floating cup, a framed certificate and another smaller cup.

The runners-up will get R8,000, a cup and a certificate while the female and male third finishers will pocket R6,000, a cup and a certificate apiece.

The female and male fourth-place finishers will get R4,000 each, a cup and a certificate.

The two fifth finishers will receive R3,000, a cup and a certificate.

As for the best female and male junior winners, who will succeed hurdler Marvis Confait and shot putter Helda Marie, they will each pocket R1,500, a cup and a certificate.

All male and female athletes chosen as the best by their respective federations or associations will get R3,000.

The other prizes like air tickets and weekends at hotels will depend on the number of sponsors who decide to join in the end-of-the-year gala. The Organising Committee would like to take this opportunity to call on sponsors, who would like to contribute towards the gala and/or to sponsor a sport in particular, to contact Mr Adam on telephone number 323908 during office hours.

Sports Nation also gathered from the Selection Committee, chaired by Mr Eric Arnephy, special advisor for sports in the MLGSC, that nomination forms are to be sent to all federations and associations as from today for them to select their best two (a winner and a runner-up) male and female athletes of the year. Federations and associations will also have to choose their best male and female junior athletes who  should be less than 18 years old by December 31, 2002.