BBC Sports Personality, Itâs a farce.

by Paul Anderson. Published Mon 14 Dec 2009 23:13

So Ryan Giggs is the most outstanding sports person of 2009. Well according to the BBC viewers he is.

It just doesn’t sit right does it, and nobody is questioning the supreme career the Manchester United man has had, although plenty will be wondering what exactly did he do during 2009 which was so special?

He overcame Formula One world champion Jenson Button, which was an almighty shock in itself. He also beat Jessica Ennis who became world Heptathlon champion in Berlin this year. Then there is heavyweight boxer David Haye, who also claimed a world title after beating off Nikolai Valuev on points.

They all have something in common, which was achieved this year. Becoming; champion of the world. And what did Giggs achieve? OK so his side won a League and Carling Cup double, however, the man who carried them to those trophies more than anyone else was the impeccable Ronaldo. So as an individual in the calendar year Ryan Giggs he scored just four goals. And made a respectable 17 assists.

Which leads me to say, if the award (as is presumed) is given on the basis of a sportsman’s contribution during the 12 month period, statistics show that Dirk Kuyt scored 16 goals and made seven assists. It’s funny how his name wasn’t mentioned for the shortlist for the Overseas award. Then again I suppose Usain Bolt is a bit quicker.

Not that it should have been of course, however, on the basis of Giggs getting the opportunity to deliver he speech to the shocked audience, and even be nominated in the shortlist over the course of a year is their much difference?

People would even have understood if Giggs had been given the lifetime achievement award for his services over a number of years at the pinnacle of his sport, where he has unfortunately collected more medals than a decorated war hero. Nobody can take away he has been a model professional during an era where football became fashionable, and the media spotlight changed football from a once a week sport to 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

Of course any viewer who makes it a yearly ritual to watch this farce probably wasn’t too surprised at the result. In the past we’ve seen Zara Phillips claim the crown, for achieving in a sport which the majority of the country weren’t aware existed. Even so at least she was European and world title holder.

And then there was Michael Owen in 1998, who picked up the gong simply for his solo, and yes, tremendous, goal against Argentina during the World Cup in France. But worthy winner of a whole year of British sport. It must have been worse than I care to remember.

With Giggs also winning PFA Footballer of the Year in 2009, being named in the 2009 team of the year added to his latest award, it looks as though the country are doing their best to decorate the Welshman with as many tributes as possible.

I’ll take this opportunity to congratulate 2010 Sports Personality of the Year winner, PFA Footballer of the year, Football Writers Player of the Year and new King of England; Paul Scholes.

Well probably.