TP Mazembe star Solomon Asante beat off competition from Dede Ayew and Daniel Amartey to be adjudged the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) footballer of the year for the 2015/2016 season.
The 42nd edition of the SWAG awards held at the Banquet Hall of the State House Accra, was well attended by football dignitaries, the Minister of Youth and Sports Isaac Asiamah, President of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo among others.
Asante’s influential role in his club’s success during the CAF Confederation Cup success, African Super Cup holders and the DR Congo championship ensured he was voted as the footballer of the year for the first time.
Though it was evident that Ayew was remarkable for Swansea last season and Amartey being a part of English Premier League (EPL) emerging the EPL champions, Asante came atop ahead of the duo.
The flagship award of the night saw former Black Stars defender and the president of the Professional Footballers Association, (PFAG) Tony Baffoe crowned the Sports Personality of the year.
The CAF and FIFA match coordinator was nominated in the category with boxer Emmanuel Tagoe.
The annual award ceremony is aimed at recognising people for their diverse roles towards the development of sports in the country.
Baffoe was rewarded for his works at FIFA where he coordinated some matches at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and the finals of the 2016 Club World Cup.
He has also been on an education tour to clubs, where he educates the local players on the need to plan after their football career.
In other award categories, Black Queens striker Pricilla Adubea won the best Female Footballer of the year award for the tremendous role she played in her team’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies win last season’s Women’s League title.
She had 19-goals to her credit to be the highest goal scorer last season.
Wa All Stars goalie Richard Ofori was also voted by members of SWAG as the best Ghana Premier league footballer of the year ahead of former Liberty Professional playmaker Latiff Atta Blessing and Medeama SC’s free kick expert Akwesi Donsu. Ofori’s impressive goal keeping last season saw his side winning the league title and also earned him a call -up to the Black Stars when Ghana participated in the 2017 AFCON this year.
The National Weightlifting team, The Black Cranes won the National Team of the award whiles Ghana Premier League champions Wa All Stars were crowned Male Football Club of the year.
Most Promising Star of the year
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(Via: CitiFM Online Ghana)
