Sprinter Michelle-Lee Ahye and quarter-miler Jereem Richards led the almost total domination by athletics in the First Citizens Sports Foundation Sports Awards at Queen's Hall in Port-of-Spain on Saturday night.
Track and field athletes also picked up the junior and team awards and its association, National Association of Athletic Administrations of T&T (NAAATT), was named the best administration.
Neither Ahye, or Richards were present to collect their awards but the beaming faces of their representatives, who collected on their behalf, said it all, that they were honoured to share in the moment.
It is the second straight year that Ahye has been bestowed the "Sportswoman of the Year" award and again her mother Rachael accepted the dazzling and clearly weighty trophy from the Foundation’s Chairman Dr Keith Clifford.
"Michelle has guts. She doesn't give up, she keeps trying," said her mother. "If she doesn't win this year, she works and comes back harder next year. I love my daughter."
Ahye set a new national women’s 100m record of 10.82 during the National Championships at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain and finished sixth over the same distance at the IAAF World Championships in London, England.
The "Sportsman of the Year" trophy was presented to Richards' sister Brittney by acting Minister of Sports Nyan Gadsby Dolly, the Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts.
She said, "I admire Jereem's dedication, his focus and his discipline. It's like a dream, like I know he is called in the sporting world. To see someone work so hard for something they love, its inspiring."
Richards had an amazing season last year, as he was part of the victorious men’s 4x400 metre relay team who copped gold at the said World event. Also at the Championships, Richards bagged bronze in the men’s 200m final. All of which was highlighted on the huge screen in the background of the gorgeously designed stage.
It is third consecutive year that the NAAATT has swept the main awards at the vibrant annual function which featured entertainment from rapso group 3Canal and its dancers dressed in black and white.
Shot-putter Ianna Roach and sprinter Adell Coltrust copped the junior versions of the awards in the revamped function themed "Building Bridges" which both Dr Clifford and Karen Darbasie First Citizens chief executive officer, referred to in their addresses as part of the Foundations' evolution.
"I wouldn't change anything. Everything happens for a reason. It has brought me to this point,," said Carifta-bound Roach, who was presented her award by First Citizens chairman Anthony Smart.
Coltrust, received his from Darbasie and he felt confident that he would win the top prize saying : "I am not surprised. It took a lot of dedication to be here and hard work so I am not surprised." His response evoked laughter and applause from the audience, who were brilliantly dressed as all awardees and their representatives.
One of whom was Kabir Hosein, the chief administrative officer at the NAAATT, who accepted the Lystra D Lewis award from Sherril Peters, the former national netball captain of the 1979 World Championship netball squad, for the 4x400m relay team of Richards, Jarrin Solomon, Lalonde Gordon, Machel Cedenio and Renny Quow, The honour is presented to an individual, team or group whose performance has impacted significantly on the national sport landscape and that they did when creating history at World Championships as mentioned above.
So it was not much of a surprise when the NAAATT was announced the winner of Jeffrey Stollmeyer award for its outstanding showcase of initiatives and for making significant improvements in its administration, towards the development of its athletes.
Stollmeyer's son Allan presented the trophy to NAAATT president Ephraim Serrette for being the leading large national governing sports body after handing over the small version of the prize to T&T Target Archery Federation.
Hasely Crawford, T&T's first Olympic gold medallist, was also on hand to give out awards at the 56th edition of the event and he made the presentations to the top 10 senior awardees and Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Secretary of Sport and Youth Affairs, Jomo Pitt, gave out to the juniors.
Former field athlete Candice Scott had the honour to present to the outstanding Special Olympians from various fields of sports.
The large gathering were also treated to the WOW moments of the year displayed on the screen including the performances of the 4x400m Richards 200m win, Akeem Stewart gold medal throw, Kevon Cooper in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the 4x400m team's top finish in the Under-20 final at Carifta Games, the women's volleyball team sealing a spot in the World Cup and of course Alvin Jones' beauty of a goal to help T&T knock USA out of the FIFA World Cup.
2017 Honour roll
Senior
Sportsman of the Year: Jereem Richards (athletics)
Jereem Richards (athletics), Nigel Paul (boxing), Quincy Alexander (cycling), Akeem Stewart (Paralympics), Dylan Carter (swimming),
Sportswoman of the Year: Michelle Lee Ahye (athletics)
Michelle Lee Ahye (athletics), Nyoshia Cain (Paralympics), Amira Pilgrim (swimming), Megan Lawrence (taekwondo), Merissa Aguillera (cricket).
Junior
Sportsman of the Year: Adell Coltrust (athletics)
Adell Coltrust (athletics), Jereon Thompson (swimming), Xavier Jones (judo), Nickell Joseph (boxing), Joshua Johnson (chess)
Sportswoman of the Year: Ianna Roach (athletics)
Ianna Roach (athletics), Gabriella Donahue (swimming), Gabriella Johnson (chess), Rachel Grosberg (triathlon), Yeji Lee (golf).
Lystra D Lewis award: 4x400m relay team
Jeffrey Stollmeyer Memorial award: NAAATT
Special Olympics awardees
Gary Boodoo (bocce), Tamika Campbell (football), Nikoli Lalla (swimming), Sean Gibson (floor hockey), Shania Surujbelly (swimming).