Media Release - 31st October 2006

COMMONWEALTH SPORTS AWARDS -SHORT LIST ANNOUNCED

More high quality nominations than ever before have been received for this year's prestigious 26 th Annual Commonwealth Sports Awards, said event founder Al Hamilton MBE.

Over the last few weeks, countries from across the 71 member nations of the Commonwealth have been nominating their athletes and officials for outstanding performances over the last year ( 1 July 2005 - 30 June 2006 ), to be considered for the 26 th Annual Commonwealth Sports Awards.

The expert judging panel, which includes representatives from each of the six Commonwealth regions, today announced the short list, naming those in contention for the awards in each of the eight categories:

Sports Administrator of the Year
• Filbert Bayi (Athletics) TAN
• Jenny Shaw (Swimming) WAL
• Zainal Abu Zarin (Disability Sport) MAS

Outstanding Young Achiever (under 18)
• Elise Hopfner-Gibbs (Gymnastics) CAN
• Asif Hossain (Shooting) BAN
• Melissa Wu (Diving) AUS

Outstanding Male Athlete
• Alexandre Despatie (Diving) CAN
• Chris Hoy (Cycling) SCO
• Asafa Powell (Athletics) JAM

Outstanding Female Athlete
• Alexandra Orlando (Rhythmic Gymnastics) CAN
• Michaela Breeze (Weightlifting) WAL
• Sherone Simpson (Athletics) JAM

Outstanding Male Elite Athlete with Disability
• Matthew Cowdrey (Swimming) AUS
• Benoit Huot (Swimming) CAN
• David Roberts (Swimming) WAL

Outstanding Female Elite Athlete with Disability
• Siti Zalina Ahmad (Lawn Bowls) MAS
• Sue Gilroy (Table Tennis) ENG
• Chantal Petitclerc (Athletics) CAN

Most Outstanding Team
• M2006 Swimming Team SCO
• Men's Hockey Team AUS
• Silver Ferns (Netball) NZL

Lifetime Achievement Award (athletes, coaches and administrators)
• Dave Haller (Swimming) WAL
• Dr Bruce Kidd (Athletics) CAN
• Owen Le Vallee (Administration) GUER

The winners will be announced at the Commonwealth Sports Awards Foundation Dinner in association with Clydesdale Bank, at the Café Royal, London on 29 November 2006 . Also supporting the event are the Commonwealth Games Federation, DebRA, Dehli 2010, Glasgow 2014 Bid, Melbourne 2006 , Nigeria 2014 Bid.

Amongst the former winners of these coveted awards include England 's world renowned distance runner Paula Radcliffe, Australian swimming icon Ian Thorpe and Welsh EAD athletics legend Tanni Grey-Thompson.

With all the short listed nominees invited to attend, make sure your organisation is represented at this star studded occasion when you can expect to be inspired by the performances of some of the Commonwealth's greatest sportsmen and women. A number of tables are still available for this gala awards dinner and entertainment. For details call +44 (0)1786 466480.