Local squash 'Queen' Nicolette Fernandes feels that Commonwealth Games gold medalist Aliann Pompey, should be voted Guyana's 2002 Sportswoman-of-the-year.
Speaking to Stabroek Sport recently, Fernandes, who won the award in 2000, and again in 2001, said Pompey deserves the award "Aliann deserves it. Guyana benefitted tremendously from her feat in Manchester," Fernandes stated, adding.. "I wouldn't want it, I definitely do not deserve it".
Pompey won the women's 400-metre event at the Commonwealth Games, becoming the first Guyanese in 67 years to win an athletic gold medal.
"I think what she did in Manchester, out of all of us that were there, including the squash players, she was most professional in the way she carried herself, and her dedication, when I heard she won the gold, I was not surprised."
For the year, Fernandes has won all the local tournaments she participated in. She also placed second in the Southern Caribbean championships.
Her greatest feat this year was winning one silver and three bronze medals at the recently concluded Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) in El Salvador.
Fernandes landed a silver medal in the mixed doubles where she teamed up with Luke Fraser while her bronze medals came in the ladies singles, the ladies team competition and the ladies doubles where she teamed up with Jillian Grifith-Lilico.
"There shouldn't even be a vote for the sportswoman award," Fernandes declared.
Only recently, Fernandes became the first local lady to join the Women's International Squash Players Association (WISPA). She has her eyes set on representing Guyana at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia.