SAB Sports Journalists of the Year Awards revealed

The late Peter Robinson was the posthumous recipient of the prestigious Hall of Fame Award for lifetime achievement in sports coverage. "It has been said that if there hadn't been a Peter Robinson, we would have had to invent one," says former colleague and co-judge, Guy Hawthorne.

"A man never afraid to offer an opinion, and always with the ammunition to back his argument, Robinson was one of the most talented cricket writers to come of out South Africa. A measure of his ability is the fact that he was respected by his peers, cricket administrators and cricket players both locally and internationally. His writing was always entertaining, witty and consistently balanced. Once he moved into management as sports editor of The Citizen, he quickly demonstrated the necessary leadership qualities to successfully lead his team and he transformed the newspaper's sports pages in the short time he was there. Peter is an example to all aspiring sports writers."

The awards were made at a gala banquet at Sandton Convention Centre, Along with a coveted title, the three category winners each take home R12 500, while sub-category winners receive a R2 500 cash prize.

Print and Internet predominate

This year the competition attracted 222 entries across the four main categories (and nine sub-categories) from journalists covering the dynamic, exhilarating, controversial and often emotive world of sport. Once again entries from print and Internet journalists predominated.

According to judges, Sunday Times sports journalist David Isaacson has set a standard in news and feature writing that consistently combines in-depth knowledge of his subject matter and skilful writing, making his work accessible to sports fans and average readers alike. As Supersport's specialist golf producer, Andrew Skelton distinguished himself with an outstanding production of the 2005 Nedbank Golf Challenge. Radio producer Helen Mittwoch's understanding of her audience is evident in the wide variety of programme content featured on SAfm's Saturday Sports Special. Her expertise earned the programme a number of awards during 2005. Newcomer Chris Hewitt's work shows a maturity beyond his short tenure as a sports journalist, demonstrating his flair, insight and aptitude for sports coverage.

The full line-up of overall winners and sub-category winners includes:

Print & Internet:

Sports Journalist of the Year: David Isaacson, Sunday Times
Sports Feature Writer of the Year: David Isaacson, Sunday Times
Sports Columnist of the Year: Rodney Hartman, Sunday Independent
Sports News Reporting of the Year: David Isaacson, Sunday Times
Sports Photographer of the Year: Lefty Shivambu, Touchline Media
Merit Award: Sports Feature Writer of the Year: Liryn de Jager, Rapport
Merit Award: Sports Columnist of the Year: Liam del Carme, Beeld

Radio:

Sports Journalist of the Year : Helen Mittwoch, SAfm's Saturday Sports Special
Sports Commentator of the Year: Simon Ramafalo, Thobela FM
Sports Programme of the Year: Helen Mittwoch, SAfm's Saturday Sports Special
Sports Presenter of the Year: Kass Naidoo, SAfm's Gameplan
Merit Award: Sports Commentator of the Year: Zolani Bongco, Umhlobo Wenene FM
Merit Award: Sports Presenter of the Year: Trevor Cramer, Jacaranda 94.2 FM

Television:

Sports Journalist of the Year: Andrew Skelton, M-Net's Supersport
Sports Programme of the Year: Neil Andrews, Supersport's SuperSaturday
Best Live Outside Broadcast Production of the Year: Andrew Skelton. M-Net Supersport)
Sports Commentator/Presenter of the Year: Robert Marawa, SABC Sport
Merit Award: Sports Programme of the Year: John Clingen, M-Net Supersport
Merit Award: Sports Programme of the Year: Melinda Lombard, SABC
Merit Award: Sports Commentator/Presenter of the Year: Leigh-Ann Paulick, M-Net Supersport

Overall Sports Newcomer of the Year: Chris Hewitt. Highbury, Safika Media
Merit Award: Newcomer: Lebo Motsoeli, SABC Sport

Lack of entries

"Although the quality of entries was good, the lack of entries from certain major newspapers was disappointing," said Guy Hawthorne, a member of the judging panel for Print and Internet entries. "The features were particularly good this year, with many strong contenders. The same can be said of the columnists. However, the news category was disappointingly thin."

Hawthorne also felt that the rugby saga failed to create sufficient coverage, comment or debate by journalists. "Van Rooyen and the ongoing saga of SA Rugby was a very topical issue for a long time and no journalist produced consistent, informative articles on the goings-on at SA Rugby."

Apparent decline

Of concern to the panel judging electronic media was the apparent decline in the standard of some radio commentator entrants who have been winners in the past. "In the radio categories more attention should be paid (particularly by those compiling entries on another's behalf), to the examples of the entrants' work submitted," says judge Robin Kempthorne.

"Some were too short or did not support the attributes mentioned in the motivations provided. However, on a positive note, it was pleasing to receive entrants from the 'regional commercial' and 'local' radio stations and from e.tv this year. As always, well done to SAB for their loyal support, encouraging the ongoing maintenance of high standards in the electronic media production industry."

TV judges delighted

Judges of the television category were delighted with the quality and quantity of entries received. According to Supersport's André Venter, "With very few exceptions the quantity and the quality of all the entries received this year is the best I personally have ever seen, which is a sign that the industry is taking these awards seriously. The winners in every category should feel really proud as they have beaten the best - congratulations to all!"