THE list of nominees for the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards is all but complete and the difficult process of short listing will soon begin. The Selection Committee, chaired by Mr Eric Arnephy, special advisor for sports in the Ministry of Local Government, Sports and Culture (MLGSC), has already met once and will meet again on Friday December 27, to decide on the judging procedures and how to keep the final decisions secret until the evening of January 24, 2003, when the best male and female athletes will be crowned.

Almost all sporting federations and associations have sent in the names of their top athletes. The male and female finalists still in contention for the prestigious Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year titles will be known after the Selection Committee had short-listed the nominees.

After that, the best five men and women will be picked in order of preference. The most outstanding young male and female athletes will also be chosen.

Meanwhile, tickets for the 19th edition of the traditional end-of-the-year crowning ceremony, organised by the MLGSC, cost R180. Those who would like to buy tables to sit eight people at a cost of R1,800 should contact either Ms Giovanna Rousseau on telephone number 225477 or Mr Ivan Roberts on 323908 during office hours.

The Organising Committee is also calling on sponsors, who would like to contribute in the end-of-the-year gala and to sponsor a sport in particular, to contact Ms Rousseau on the above telephone number.

The two athletes who will be chosen as the overall best on the night of the crowning ceremony will pocket the traditional star prize of R15,000 each with the possibility of prizes in kind, the huge floating cup, the winner's trophy and a framed certificate.

The two runners-up will each receive R8,000 cash, a trophy, a framed certificate and other prizes.

The male and female third finishers will get a cash prize of R6,000, a trophy, a framed certificate. The fourth and fifth place finishers will get R4,000 and R3,000 each, a trophy and a framed certificate.

All athletes chosen as the best in their respective disciplines will get R3,000, a cup and a certificate.

The following are the names of the best athletes chosen by their respective federation or association.

Athletics: Selwyn Beauchamp, Simon Labiche (men), Lindy Leveaux, Louisianne Françoise (women), Joel Lesperance (m), Rancy Larue (f) (juniors)

Badminton: Georgie Cupidon, Nicholas Jumaye (men), Juliette Ah-Wan, Catherina Paulin (women), Allen Azemia (m), Catherina Paulin (f) (juniors)

Boxing: Jean-Paul Mellie, Kitson Julie (men), Jean Paul Moosa (junior)

Canoeing: Tony Lespoir, Ally Sicobo (men), Juan Pillay, Michel Roucou (junior);

Cricket: Patrick Thomas, John Khambatta (men)

Cycling: Hudson Mathieu, Andy Rose (men), Alex Savy (junior)

Darts: James Morel, Lambert Monthy (men), Jena Alcindor, Mona Alvis (women) Ruben Port-Louis (m), Anna Alvis (f) (junior)

Football: Allen Larue, Don Anacoura (men), Erica Labiche (women), Jules Monnaie (junior)

Golf: Ron Barbé, (men), Margaret Pragassen (women)

Gymnastics: Terrence Vidot (men), Keryl Elizabeth (women), Demelza Philoé (f), Julius Agathine (m) (juniors)

Judo: Francis Labrosse, Gerard Baker (men), Marie-Annette Vidot, Leonne Rose (women), Leslie Philoé (m) Micheline Kabore (f) (juniors)

Karate: Elvis Ravinia, Steven Freminot (men), Verna Lesperance, Marie-Lucy Sullivan, (women), Dan Simara, Emmanuel Louis (m), Gretel Valentin (f), (juniors)

Karting: Marcus Dubignon, Nelwyn Pierre (men), Rudy Joseph, (junior)

Netball: Catherine Marguerite (women)

Pétanque: Roland Renaud (men), Sheila Sinon-Chang-Time (women), Benny Chang-Time (junior)

Rugby: David Matombé, Guy Jérémie (men) Gilbert D'Offay (junior)

Sailing: Allan Julie, Rodney Govinden (men), Beth Gertrude, A. Laurence (women), Paul Morel (junior)

Swimming: Steven Mangroo, Bertrand Bristol (men), Shrone Austin, Naomi Adeline, (women), Steven Mangroo (m), Shrone Austin (f) (juniors)

Table tennis: Godfrey Sultan, Jude Marie (men), Maria Laure, Janice Esparon (women), Godfrey Sultan (m), Janice Esparon (f) (juniors)

Tennis: Jamal Nibourette (men), Fatim Kanté (women), Yannick Julie (m), Fatim Kante (f) (juniors)

Volleyball: Bernard Bijoux, Tony Songor (men), Annie Dugasse, Jerina Bonne (women), Leroy Elizabeth (m) Sophia Jumaye (f) (juniors)

Weightlifting: Steven Baccus, Terrence Dixie (men), Janet Thélermont, Clementina Agricole (women), Terrence Dixie (m) Clementina Agricole (f) (juniors)

Windsurfing: Stephen Stravens, Jean-Marc Gardette (men), Chantal Hoffman, (women) Neddy Rose (junior).

Meanwhile, basketball, bodybuilding, chess, domino, hockey and squash are yet to send in the names of their nominees.