Gyan grabs Ghana sports personality gong

Striker Asamoah Gyan was named the sports personality of the year in the 36th edition of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana Awards held in Accra on Saturday.

The Sunderland ace fend off competition from international teammate Richard Kingson and IBF bantamweight boxer Joseph Agbeko to emerge winner of the grand prize in a colourful ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of the State House.

Gyan also picked up the award of Footballer of the Year beating competition from Richard Kingson and Andre Ayew.

The 25-year-old gained international recognition in the year under review(2010) when his three goals helped the Black Stars to an unprecedented 2010 Fifa World Cup quarter finals berth – equaling the African record in the tournament in the the process.

His exploits at the mundial earned him a £13m move to English side Sunderland where he became an instant hit with the fans at Wearside.

Gyan, affectionately called Baby Jet, led Ghana’s attack and sent them to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola in February but lost out on the trophy to Egypt.

The ex Liberty Professionals player came second to Cameroonian Samuel Eto’o in the 2010 Caf Footballer of the year award.

His popularity became profound when his was featured by hiplife artiste Castro to produce the famous African Girls hit track.