Canary Wharf Group plc is calling for East London’s sporting achievers to step forward for the Canary Wharf Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2009.

Entries are now open for the awards, which give annual recognition to locals who have demonstrated excellence, commitment and achievement in their chosen sport over the past year.

Mimi Tran, Community and Sports Co-ordinator at Canary Wharf Group plc said:

“Throughout the year we see amazing sporting talent displayed by people of many different kinds of backgrounds in East London. Such sporting role models have the potential to inspire whole communities to better things.

“An investment in sporting excellence can be an investment in the social and economic regeneration of East London, as the 2012 Olympics are proving,” she said.

“Through Canary Wharf Group’s sports programmes, we aim to give the local community more opportunities to participate and excel at sport. Sport is one of the best ways to connect with our neighbours, and the Awards night is a celebration of that connection,” she said.

The Awards ceremony will be held in the East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf in January 2010. Representatives from West Ham United Football Club will help give out the Awards on the night.

Entries close on 6 November. Contact mimi.tran@canarywharf.com for application details.

The categories are:

Individual Achievement Award – For individuals who have performed highly and achieved new ambitions in their chosen sport in the past year

Junior Team Award – For an under-16 year old team which has shown great sportsmanship and commendable achievements in a chosen sport in the past year

Senior Team Award – For an over-16s team which has shown great sportsmanship and commendable achievements in a chosen sport in the past year

Group Achievement Award – For groups or clubs that have contributed and made a difference to the local community through sport in the past year

Voluntary Commitment Award – For individuals who have dedicated their time and effort to work in a voluntary capacity, going above and beyond their duties to support local sporting activities.