With the 2006 awards now backed by Cable and Wireless, the former World champion middle distance runner will be just one of the attractions as the evening returns to its full-on razzle-dazzle format – a live, televised black-tie gala dinner extravaganza which has the full backing of sporting bosses in both Guernsey and Jersey.
And once again it will be the sporting public that choose the winner of the main award from one of five Channel Islanders whose names have yet to be released.
Also to be presented on the gala evening at the Hotel De France will be awards for CI Rising Star, Coach of the Year, Team of the Year and Sporting Hero.
Said Derek de la Haye, assistant director of Education, Sport and Culture: ‘It’s tremendous that Cable and Wireless have shown massive support for CI sport through their support of this showcase event.
Everybody in local sport is indebted to them.’ Darren Duquemin, a director of event organisers Wallace Barnaby, is delighted to see the return of the live event on CTV on Thursday 25 January, which he claims is the Oscars meet X-Factor: ‘It’s the one the public talks about – and it’s they that decide the ultimate winner on the night.’ ‘Steve Cram will be an inspiration to all of those who are lucky enough to be at the Hotel de France,’ said Colin Fallaize of 2e2, the company that are sponsoring the appearance of the former mile and 1,500m world record holder, who is now a highly-respected BBC sports presenter and pundit.
