Latest News
RJRGLEANER Sports Foundation says it has to ‘maintain standards’ - Athletics’ 12 among 13 nominated for National Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year awards
December 05, 2024
Noting the excellent performance of track and field athletes as justification for their selection, Gary Allen, chairman of the RJRGLEANER Sports Foundation, says they will not lower standards for the RJRGLEANER Sports Foundation's National Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year awards.
Thirteen nominees, five females and eight males, were announced during a televised ceremony at Television Jamaica's studios on Wednesday, and 12 of that number represent the sport of athletics.
Delivering his remarks during the broadcast, Allen noted that the compilation of nominees presented some challenges.
"I think this year presented some challenges for the selection committee. While we had an Olympic year, World Indoor Championships, we had other performances in other sports that were worthy," he stated.
"Thirteen athletes who had significant impact of excellence on the global stage is something that we have to be thankful for," Allen stated.
The Foundation's chairman also pointed out that athletics dominated the nominations because they stood out in the eyes of the selection committee.
"I think that we have to celebrate the excellence in track and field. We should look if there are gaps and address them, but I don't think we should automatically go to, 'how can we bring others in and lower the criteria levels to include average performances rather than keeping it at excellent'," he believes.
Chairman of the selection committee and former president of the Jamaica Olympic Association, Mike Fennell, supported Allen's position that while it was a tough call to leave out some noteworthy athletes, their standard must be maintained.
"We have to maintain our standards and we must recognise those who perform at the highest level. We should never water down that recognition as we have such a long list of athletes who performed so well," Fennell said. "I will be open to that, as nothing should stand still forever and we will look at it.
"However, I'm not prepared to water down the quality of what we do. We must maintain standards," Fennell reiterated.
The five nominees for the Sportswoman of the Year are track and field athletes Rushell Clayton, Ackera Nugent, Nickisha Pryce and Shanieka Ricketts and cyclist Llori Sharpe. Those vying for the Sportsman of the Year title, all track and field athletes are Carey McLeod, Wayne Pinnock, Roje Stona, Kishane Thompson, Ackeem Blake, Rusheen McDonald, Rajindra Campbell and Rasheed Broadbell.
Six performances were chosen for the People's Choice 'Performance of the Year' Award. They are: Broadbell's sprint hurdles bronze medal run at the Paris Olympics; Ackera Nugent's World leading 100-metre hurdles Diamond League win in 12.24 seconds; Khadija Shaw's goal for Manchester City against Liverpool in the Women's Super League; Roje Stona's historic Olympic gold medal throw in the men's discus final in an Olympic Record 70.00 metres; Kishane Thompson's silver medal performance in the men's 100m final at the Paris Olympics; and Chavany Willis' goal for Arnett Gardens against Portmore United in the Jamaica Premier League football competition.
The awards ceremony will be held on January 17, 2025 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel.
