PSA set to honor sports achievers

MANILA, Philippines – For making the country proud in 2019, top sports achievers will be honored when the Philippine Sportswriters Association holds its annual Awards Night on the first week of March at the Manila Hotel.

The highlight of the annual affair is the awarding of the Athlete of the Year recognition.

Filipino athletes made their presence felt in 2019, from Southeast Asia all the way to the world stage.

Team Philippines regained the overall championship in the Southeast Asian Games, while Carlos Yulo became the first Filipino and first Southeast Asian gymnast to win a gold medal in the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, held last year in Stuttgart, Germany.

Nesthy Petecio won a gold medal when she ruled the featherweight division of the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships in Ulan-Ude Russia, and EJ Obiena became the first Filipino to qualify to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by surpassing the qualifying standard in men's pole vault.

These sports heroes and heroines are expected to lead the various personalities and entities honored on the special night.

Aside from the Athlete of the Year award, also to be given out are the President's Award, the National Sports Association of the Year award, Executive of the Year, Ms. Basketball, Mr. Volleyball, Ms. Golf, Mr. Football, and a first-ever Coach of the Year.

As in past awards night, there will likewise be major awards, Lifetime Achievement Award, Tony Siddayao Awards, Milo Junior Athletes Award, and citations to be led by the SEA Games gold medal winners.

Sports personalities who passed away last year will also be accorded with a posthumous recognition.

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.