The first edition of the l’expressPoweradeNaïade Resorts Sports Awards took place on Saturday (11 Dec) in the enchanting setting of the Beau Rivage Hotel in Belle-Mare, Mauritius.
Namibian sprint star Frank Fredericks was honoured, while local sprinter Stéphan Buckland was declared the Sportsperson of the year and long jumper Jonathan Chimier awarded for the Best Performance award for being the first Mauritian ever to contest an Olympic final.
“I must say that I a very touched to receive it from Frank Fredericks who is one of the greatest athletes in history. It means a lot to me,” said Stéphan Buckland.
“He is my successor,” insisted Frank Fredericks. “Now, the future of African sprint holds in his hands. I am sure that he can do it,” he added.
The Best Performer of the Year, Jonathan Chimier, was unfortunately absent on Saturday as he is currently preparing for next season at the IAAF High Performance Training Centre of Dakar in Senegal.
But the greatest moment of the gala night was certainly the standing ovation for Frank Fredericks who was awarded a trophy for his distinguished career.
Frank Fredericks attitude to sport did not disappoint the audience. “Rather fail with honour than succeed by fault,” said the second fastest man of all-time on the half lap.
“If me, a guy from Katura, a project of Windhoek has been able to achieve what have I have done, why can’t sportsmen from a beautiful country like Mauritius do it?” he added.
Reynolds Quirin for the IAAF
