The contributions of corporate bodies in the development of football in the country has been recognised with the sports ministry bestowing awards on the Ghana Football Association's major sponsors.

A host of corporate bodies received awards at the second edition of the National Sports Awards instituted by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports in Accra, Thursday night.

The FA's major sponsors Goldfields Ghana Limited, headline sponsors of the Black Stars, Scancom Ghana Limited operators of Areeba, communication sponsors of the Black Stars, Metropolitan TV, Ecobank, Puma - kit sponsors of the Black Stars received special prizes for their contribution towards the development of sports in the country.

Papa Owusu Ankomah, Minister of Education, Science and Sports, said since the institution of the award two years ago there had been remarkable successes in various sporting disciplines.

"As a ministry that appreciates excellence and positive contribution towards sports development, we are organising this 2nd National Sports Awards to honour outstanding sports personalities."

He said the awards ceremony would be a continuous affair and assured sporting personalities and co-operate bodies that they would be selected for subsequent awards.

The awards ceremony also saw the ministry induct the Black Stars squad that represented the nation at 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany into Ghana's National Hall of Fame.

Ghana's senior national team, the Black Stars made it to the last sixteen in their at the World Cup.

The Black Stars were the best of Africa's five representatives at this year's World Cup.

The awards, instituted two years ago, conferred honours on distinguished sports personalities in 2005 as well as past heroes and heroines of the nation.

Meanwhile, other distinguished personalities who have and continue to play various roles in the development of the game were honoured at the colourful ceremony.

Ben Koufie and Edward Awuah Nyamekye, former Chairmen of the Ghana Football Association and Fred Osam Doudou, former coach of the senior national team, the Black Stars were honoured as National Sports Heroes.

Ben Koufie were also presented with grand medals for their role in the development of sports in the country.

Former national star, Nii Odartey Lamptey, 1991 World Juvenile footballer of the year was honoured as a nation's role model.

Also to receive an honour was Ghana's celebrated coach, Nana Kwesi Gyau Gyan III (C.K Gyamfi).

Nana Kwesi Gyau Gyan III a key member of the Black Stars in 1963 and 1964 Olympic team was honoured as the nation's role model.