The Sports Writers Association of Ghana's 32nd awards night certainly belonged to football, the sport with Ghana captain, Stephen Appiah picked the highest award of the evening, the Sports Personality of 2006.

Appiah, whose sterling leadership saw him lead Ghana to a historic debut at the World Cup where the Black Stars, Africa's best performers at the competition reached the round of 16, beat teammate, John Mensah and national long jumper, Ignatius Gaisah to the highest award.

The Fenerbahce midfielder's mum took the award on his behalf at the Banquet Hall of Ghana's State House on Saturday.

The yearly SWAG awards event seeks to honour sportsmen and women for their remarkable impact to sports.

In all 25 awards were presented to various sports personalities.

In the Footballer of the Year category, John Mensah overturned the scales in his favour as the defender, this time round beat Appiah and another national team colleague, Michael Essien to it.

After great showing at the World Cup last year that saw Ghana make waves of the biggest stage in football, the Black Stars received their due with the Team of the Year award.

Mensah, who was present at the event picked up another award as he together with Black Stars goalkeeper, Richard Kingson were received a special Meritorious Award for their contributions to the national team.

The Black Queens duo of Shila Okine and Anita Amankwah were presented with awards.

Okine won the Female Footballer of the Year while the young sensation, Anita Amankwah took the Discovery of the Year awards.

AshantiGold's Alhaji Saanie Mohamed was handed the Promising Player of the Year award while Miners coach David Duncan picked the Coach of the Year.

Premiership match official, Alex Kotey got the Referee of the Year award.

Below is the full list of award winners:

2006 SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR - Stephen Appiah

MALE FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR - John Mensah

FEMALE FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR - Sheila Okine

SPECIAL MERITORIOUS AWARDS -Richard Kingston, John Mensah

DISCOVERY OF THE YEAR - Anita Amankwah

PROMISING PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Alhaji Saanie Mohamed

REFEREE OF THE YEAR - Alex Kotey

COACH OF THE YEAR - David Duncan

TEAM OF THE YEAR - Black Stars