THE most memorable period in Philippine sports history will be relived and the stars honored next month when the Philippine Sportswriters Association and San Miguel Corp. team up anew to hold the traditional PSA Annual Awards Night.
The festivity is set at the ballroom of the Diamond Hotel Manila and could either be held face-to-face or virtual, similar to last year, depending on the health situation leading up to the March 14 special event.
What is certain is the grand celebration will take place as the sportswriting community pays tribute to the men and women who made 2021 truly a wonderful year for local sports despite the global pandemic.
Highlighting the event, with the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee as major backers, is the awarding of the prestigious Athlete of the Year award given by the oldest media organization in the country composed of editors and writers of leading dailies and sports websites in the country.
Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz leads several nominees for the coveted award after giving the Philippines its breakthrough Olympic gold medal in the Tokyo Games.
Also in the list are US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso, world gymnastics champion Carlos Yulo, Tokyo Olympic silver medal winners Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, as well as bronze medalist Eumir Marcial, US Open champion Carlos Biado, tennis grand slam winner Alex Eala, and four-weight boxing champion Nonito Donaire Jr.
Other awards to be given out during the affair also supported by Milo, 1Pacman, Philippine Basketball Association, Rain or Shine, ICTSI, Philracom, Chooks To Go, Smart, and the MVPSF, are the President’s Award, Executive of the Year, National Sports Association of the Year, and the Lifetime Achievement Award.
An Excellence in Leadership award will be handed out during the gala night, according to PSA president Rey C. Lachica.
Major Awards, the ‘Manok Ng Bayan Award,’ and special citations complete the compact list of honorees.
Last year, the PSA held its Awards Night virtually for the first time in its history, with Saso being honored as the 2020 Athlete of the Year winner.
