Athletics bags lion’s share of NSC’s 2023 Sports Awards

…Archibald, Abrams named Sportsman/Sportswoman of the year

2023 was undeniably the year for Track and Field in Guyana, and that was evidenced by the number of major achievements Guyana’s athletes accumulated in that time, and also by the number of accolades they raked in on Thursday night during the National Sports Commission’s (NSC) National Sports Awards for the year 2023.
Emanuel Archibald became Guyana’ new Sportsman of the Year following an excellent outing on the track during the period under revision. Archibald not only grabbed Guyana’s first 100 gold at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, but also went on to clinch bronze in the 100M event at the Pan American Games 2023, as well as making it to the 200M final at the same event.

While he was not present at the event, Archibald shared his gratitude for being recognized as the Sportsman of the Year via his social media account.
“I’m beyond grateful and humbled to be named Sportsperson of the Year (2023). This achievement isn’t just mine — it’s a testament to the unwavering support of my incredible coach, parents, and the grace of God.
“To God, I’m eternally thankful for the strength, health, and opportunities to pursue my dreams. Every race, every stride, every moment of success is a blessing. This award is for all of us. I’m just getting started.”
Meanwhile, Powerlifting’s Dominic Tyrell has been named runner-up to Archibald, while football’s Omari Glasgow was also among those nominated for the award.
On the distaff side, Jasmine Abrams, who grabbed Guyana’s first medal [silver] in the Women’s 100M event at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile last year, has been named Sportswoman of the Year. During that period, Abrams had also rewritten Guyana’s Women’s 100M record.

Jessica Callender of the sport of Chess, who became the country’s female chess champion in that year, was announced as runner-up to. Abrams.
For the juniors, Guyana’s Golden Girl in 2023, Tianna Springer, who distinguished herself at not only the CARIFTA Games but also the South American Under-20 Championships and the Commonwealth Youth Games, where she clinched gold at every competition, has been named Junior Sportswoman of the Year.
Raekwon Noel, another athlete who attracted gold medals with ease in 2023, has been named Junior Sportsman of the Year for his exploits at the CARIFTA Games, where he clinched five gold medals and rewrote several national records over that period.
Athletics continued to rake in the awards, as Mark Scott, who steers both Tianna Springer and Emanuel Archibald at the Police Track Club, has clinched the coveted Male Coach of the Year award. National Women’s Under-19 Cricket Coach Tremaine Smartt is the Women’s Coach of the Year.
For their record-breaking run at the Commonwealth Youth Games held in Trinidad and Tobago in 2023, the quartet of Tianna Springer, Narissa McPherson, Malachi Austin and Javon Roberts received the Team of the Year accolade.
Adding to athletics’ dominance at the awards, Kenisha Headley grabbed the Female Sports Official of the Year accolade, while the Athletics Association of Guyana has been awarded the Association of the Year.
Meanwhile, Guyana Times Sport Journalist Jemima Holmes received the awards for Sport Journalist of the Year – print Media for 2023.

Full list of NSC awardees:
Sportsman of the Year: Emanuel Archibald (Athletics)
Runner-up: Dominic Tyrell (Powerlifting)
Sportswoman of the Year: Jasmine Abrams (Athletics)
Runner-up: Jessica Callender (Chess)
Junior Sportswoman of the Year: Tianna Springer (Athletics)
Runner-up: Kataleya Sam (Chess)
Junior Sportsman of the Year: Raekwon Noel (Swimming)
Runner-up: Malachi Austin (Athletics)
Male Coach of the Year: Mark Scott (Athletics)
Female Coach of the Year: Tremayne Smartt (Cricket)
Sportsman of the Year- Persons with Disabilities (PWD): Uttamkumar Isurdeen (Athletics)
Sportswoman of the Year (PWD): Anya Lall (Chess)
Team-of-the-Year: Youth Commonwealth Mixed 4x400M Relay Team (Athletics).
Association of the Year: Athletics Association of Guyana
Male Sport Official of the Year: Reon King (cricket)
Female Sport Official of the Year: Kenisha Headley (Athletics)
Sport Journalist of the Year (Print): Jemima Holmes (Guyana Times)
Sport Journalist of the Year (Broadcast): Avenash Ramzan (News Room)
Sport Journalist of the Year (Non-Print/ Online): Akeem Greene (News Room)
Special Award for Service in Sport Journalism (over 25 years) – Leon Horatio (Guyana Chronicle), Donald Duff (Stabroek News) and Claude David (Kaieteur News).
Corporate Sponsor of the Year (Small): Trophy Stall
Corporate Sponsor of the Year (Medium): MVP Sports
Corporate Sponsor of the Year (Large): ENet
Posthumous Award: Terence Poole, M.S.