Accra (Greater Accra), 12th July 99 ?

Raymond Narh, the only Ghanaian gold medallist (lightweight division) at last year's Commonwealth Games in Malaysia, was crowned the 1998 sportsman of the year by the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG).

He was among 18 award winners, including international soccer star Samuel Osei Kuffour of Baryern Munich, who was adjudged the Footballer of the Year, honoured by SWAG at the 24th annual SWAG-ABC Awards Nite at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Accra on Saturday night.

Narh, was presented with a 20-inch colour television donated by Mitsui, a cash of two million cedis, a trophy and a certificate.

The first Ghanaian senior soccer team to qualify for the world cup, the Black Queens, won the team of the year while the skipper of the team, Alberta Sackey, snatched the award for dedication and valour.

The Queens received two million cedis, 25 branded T-shirts from co-sponsors State Insurance Corporation (SIC), a trophy and a certificate from SWAG.

Osei Kuffour took home a 14-inch colour television set and a portrait received on his behalf by Mr Albert Sam of the Daily Graphic.

Accra Hearts of Oak were the top scoring team, Joe Fameyeh, (Goal-king), Imurana Inusah, (Juvenile player), Kwame Ampofo Addo, (Most promising Star), Kofi Jantuah, (Professional Boxer), and Andrew Owusu, (Athlete of the year).

Others were Mona Captan (Female Golfer of the year), Anthony Amuzu, (Male golfer of the year), Shelly Ogoe Panford, (Junior Tennis player of the year), Afua Oforiwaa, (Discovery of the year), and Alfred Cudjoe, (Hockey player of the year).

The rest were Ivy Aryeetey, (Prospect of the year), Vivian Mensah of the Black Queens and Ex-WO1 Amartey Armah were presented with special awards.

Amartey Armah (Sycoachie), who has been the masseur of the Black Stars for over 20 years received two million cedis cash, a trophy and a certificate.

The rest of the award winners were each given 500,000 cedis cash, a trophy a certificate and a 14 inch colour television set.

In addition to their prizes, Afua Oforiwaa and Shelly Ogoe-Panford received three half pieces of cloth and Joe Fameyeh a piece of cloth, all from Akosombo Textiles Limited.

Trendy Sports, provided a set of football kits to Imurana Inusah and gave the assurance to continue to kit him till he turns professional.

Over 200 invited guests, including Ministers of State, distinguished sports personalities, attended the ceremony which was jointly sponsored by Ghana Brewery Limited and SIC.

In attendance was the Marriots International Band.