Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller presents the Sportsman of the Year award to the world's fastest man, Asafa Powell.

Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson expressed gratitude after being presented with the RJR Sports Foundation's Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards at Thursday night's ceremony.

"I feel very good to know that Jamaica really sees the good work that I am doing and showing their appreciation, it just motivates me a lot," said Powell, who easily took top spot won ahead of West Indies cricketer Christopher Gayle.

"I am feeling very happy and proud of myself that I can come here and collect this award again because last year I really put on a show and they saw it and decided to give me this award again," he added.

Simpson said: "It is good to know that Jamaica really recognises the hard work that I have put out."

Both sprinters, along with female runner-up Brigitte Foster-Hylton who won the Common-wealth Games and World Cup 100m hurdles titles, are from Maximum Velocity Performance (MVP) Track Club and Simspon says that has aided their growth.

"It says a lot. We have the best coach and we have some of the best athletes, who help to motivate us in training," she said.

Record equalled

Powell, who equalled his own world 100m record of 9.77 seconds twice last season, won his second straight Sportsman of the Year award while Simpson, who ended the year as the fastest woman over the 100m and 200m, walked away with her first award.

Powell also won the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF), Common-wealth Games and Track & Field magazine top male awards for 2006.

After an impressive season, which saw her ending the year with seven of the top 10 fastest 100m times, Simpson was expecting her award.

"It wasn't really a surprise because when you look at all the nominees we all did well. But I must say I kind of accomplished a little more than the others and I'm very grateful for this recognition.

"This will help to motivate me to perform well so that in 2007, I can be the Sportswoman of the Year again."

Grenada's Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell, who was the guest speaker, told the nominees that "all of you are winners in your rights".

He also said: "Sports is not only for the talented, but for everyone to enjoy."

Meanwhile, Olympian Sandie Richards was presented with the Chairman's Award.

In handing out the award to Richards, Foundation Chairman Michael Hall described her as an athlete who was "disciplined and dedicated to her craft and someone who had a fair sense of pride in representing her country and fixity of purpose in her pursuit of excellence.

"Such athletes create a solid and lasting legacy which ought to be highlighted, applauded and preserved so that others can follow."

Richards replied, saying: "I'm humbled by it. I didn't expect an award to come after my retirement so that was pretty cool that it came so close to my retirement," said Richards.

"It shows that someone was watching me and is appreciative for what I've done over the last 20 years."

Certificates of Merit were presented to Don Anderson (sports administration); Chris Bicknell (development of football); Clifton Forbes (track & field); Nicholas Ford (sports medicine); Ray Harvey (track & field); Clyde Juriedini (football), Courtney Sergeant (sports journalism); Edwin Murray (sports), Pat Thomas (netball & athletics) and Audrey Thompson (physical education & sport).

Special awards were also presented to the national Under-16 netball team, which won the regional tournament, the men's basketball team, winners of the Caribbean Senior Championships, and Special Olympians Alphanso Cunningham, Tanto Campbell, and Sylvia Grant.