World Boxing Association (WBA) champion Andrew `Sixhead' Lewis heads the list of nominees for the National Sports Commission's 2001 sports awards. Lewis who became Guyana's first ever world boxing champion when he knocked out American James Page, along with Guyana and West Indies cricket captain Carl Hooper and Caribbean squash champion Luke Fraser, are among the top contenders for sportsman of the year award.

All nominations close today and it is likely that number one ranked World Boxing Council cruiserweight contender Wayne Braithwaite would be added to the list as the choice of one of the other associations, as the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) has only one nomination which went to Lewis.

Among the outstanding performers to vie for the sportswoman award are Guyana and Caribbean junior squash `Queen' and 2000 winner Nicolette Fernandes, Amateur Athletic Association of Guyana (AAA) nominee Carla Benjamin and Pan American Karate gold medalist Cassandra Lall of the Guyana Japan Karate Association (GJKA).

When contacted yesterday, most of the associations who have arrived at their choices, indicated they will be making their submissions today.Fernandes' name is also submitted by her association for the junior sportswoman award and it is expected that Lall's name would be submitted as well. Rhobyn Alleyne will be nominated by the AAA while Althea Griffith who was Guyana's most valuable player in the Caribbean Under-16 netball championship, is the Guyana Netball Association's nominee.

Among the names expected for the junior sportsman award are national cricketer and West Indies Under-19 captain Narsingh Deonarine, squash player Kristian Jeffrey, Junior Carifta Games 800 metres silver medalist Tai Payne,Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) president K. D. Persaud, feels that Lewis can win the sportsman award. "I think it will be between Lewis and Carl Hooper, but Lewis should get the nod," Persaud stated.

Hooper had an outstanding year for Guyana in regional competitions, breaking the four-day aggregate batting competition record with 964 runs while leading his country to second place in the Busta Cup and Shield competitions. He later returned to spearhead Guyana to its second Red Stripe Bowl one-day title.

Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) general secretary, Terrence Grant, said the association will not be contesting any of the other categories, but will be submitting names of individuals from other disciplines who they (GRFU) think should be considered for the top awards in each category.

"(Andrew) `Six Head'(Lewis) and Carl Hooper's names are being considered for the senior male award and for the junior award, the Jairam brothers Justin and Jeremy" Grant told Stabroek Sport, adding "for the female award, we have to make a decision between Nicolette Fernandes and Cassandra Lall.

Grant said the final decision on who his association feels merits the respective awards should have been made sometime yesterday.

The GCC hockey team which placed second at the Pan American club championships will be nominated for the team award by the Guyana Hockey Board while the national men's squash squad which played unbeaten at the Caribbean championships, will also be in contention.

The panel of judges invited by the National Sports Commission (NSC) will meet next Friday and they will also vote for sports coach, sports personality, disability performer and sports journalist.

U-21s draw with Den AmstelThe national under-21 football team concluded its preparation for their Barbados tour by drawing 1-1 with Den Amstel yesterday at the Uitvlugt ground, West Demerara.

Sheik Kamal scored the lone goal for the Under-21s which lost to newly crowned Kashif and Shanghai champions Swiss House Victoria Kings 1-0 in their first warm-up match on Wednesday at the National Park.

Joseph Pierre scored the winning goal in the second half.

The Under-21s will leave tomorrow for three matches in the flying fish island, beginning on Sunday when they face the Barbados under-21 side.