Former Graphic Sports Editor, Mr Felix Abayateye, and other sports personalities were honoured at the Ghana Sports Excellence Awards held at the British Council in Accra last Friday.

The Ghana Sports Excellence Awards was instituted in 2014 by Hallmark Plus to recognise and celebrate various sports personalities who excelled in their respective sporting disciplines in the country.

Mr Abayateye was honoured for his tremendous contribution in the field of sports journalism for many years.

Amateur boxer Jessie Lartey also received an award for winning the only medal for Ghana at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Lartey was a bronze medalist in the amateur boxing division, bringing honour to the country.

Canadian-born Ghanaian, Christabel Nettey, was also honoured for winning a gold medal for Canada in long jump at the Commonwealth Games, while Mr Laud Commey was rewarded for his effort in helping the development of sports at the community level.

Two journalists, Peter Kwao Adator of TV3 and Betty Yawson of Starr FM, were also rewarded for their exceptional efforts in reporting sports news to their respective audience.

Mr Abayateye expressed his gratitude to the organisers of the event for the recognition and advised young sports journalists to be professional, pursue higher educational feats and be confident in the discharge of their duties.

“These are the principles which could produce excellence in the practice of journalism,” he said.

For his part, Jessie Lartey said he was motivated by the award.

"As I stand here, I feel very motivated and inspired for the award I received today.

With this, I will crave for more success for the country and myself.

This award tells me that if I train harder and win more medals, I will have more recognition. I have been challenged for success by this award," he stated.

The organiser of the event, Franklin Boateng, explained that the awardees were selected through an independent judging process under the direction of a chief reviewer.

According to him, “we strive to ensure that the annual Ghana Sports Excellence Awards scheme is embedded in the minds of all as a landmark event in sports advancement in the country.”