The inaugural event, created by Hallmark Plus Multimedia, was launched at the Accra Stadium and will be held for the first time on a yet to be confirmed date in December.

Consisting of 30 categories recognising all manner of contributors to the sports world, it is particularly seeking to reward "hard-working sports personalities and stakeholders in the sports industry".

Along with honours for the best athletes, teams, coaches and personalities; referees, physicians, journalists and photographers are among other professions who will be recognised. 

There will also be awards for the best contributors in school, community and disability sport, as well as for the most successful sports brand and the sports security service.

"As we create an awards night that recognises excellence and achievements, our team of experts would ensure that the event itself demonstrates equal quality and brilliance to make the audience and award recipients feel special and privileged", said Phil Johnny Quartey, the communications director of Hallmark Plus.

He claimed the awards should drive successful nominees to always give their best under all circumstances.

Ghana's last Olympic medal was a bronze for the men's football team 22 years ago at Barcelona 1992 ©Getty Images







The new event, announced shortly before a Ghana team competes at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games in a bid to match the four medals won at Delhi 2010, comes at a time when Ghana has struggled on the international stage, particularly in Olympic sports.

They have won no Olympic medals since the men's football team secured bronze at Barcelona 1992, and Vida Anim's eighth place finish in the women's 200 metres was the closest they came to breaking that trend at London 2012. 

Although Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong's 47th place finish in the slalom Alpine skiing event at Vancouver 2010 marked the country's debut at a Winter Olympic Games, no athlete from the West African nation competed at Sochi 2014 earlier this year. 

The national football team have fared better, coming perilously close to being the first African team to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, before becoming the only team to avoid defeat against eventual winners Germany at the most recent tournament in Brazil, with André Ayew and Asamoah Gyan finding the net in a 2-2 draw. 

But, after ultimately failing to make it out of the group stage in Brazil, it will be hoped that the awards ceremony will help generate further attention and growth, for football and all other sports. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
May 2014: Ghana Olympic Committee appoint African Origin to resell tickets for Glasgow 2014
March 2014: Ghana appoints new Chef de Mission for Glasgow 2014