Football will once again dominate the 2009 sports media awards as three Ghana internationals are nominated for the Sports Personality of the Year.

The Black Stars trio of Michael Essien, John Paintsil and Dominic Adiyiah will contend for the highest award at the 35th SWAG Awards Night billed for next year.

John Paintsil, reigning Footballer of the Year will have to beat off competition from Michael Essien and Dominic Adiyiah as the same set again go head-to-head for 2009 Footballer of the Year Award.

The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) every year honours worthy sports men and women for their contribution in their various fields.

President of the Ghana Football Association Kwesi Nyantakyi is among the award nominees as he would be decorated with the Chairman of the Year prize.

Black Stars and Roda JC player, Eric Addo has been nominated for the 'Dedication and Valour' Award.

For his managerial qualities that saw him guide Ghana's U-20 team to lift the historic FIFA Under-20 World Cup, Sellas Tetteh has been nominated as Coach of the Year with the 2009 World Under-20 Champions, the Black Satellites going for the Team of the Year award.

Chairman of the Black Satellites Management Committee, Jordan Anagbla has been nominated for the Special Meritorious Award category.

The domestic league will see Obed Ansah - Accra Hearts of Oak, Lee Addy - Bechem Chelsea and Asante Kotoko's Jordan Opoku compete for the Premiership Player of the Year award.

Last season's top Glo Premier League top scorer, Alex Asamoah of Asante Kotoko will be awarded the Top Scorer prize.

Other nominees include Joseph O. Lamptey for Referee of the Year.

A second successive appearance at the FIFA World Cup will earn the senior national team, the Black Stars a Special Awards Category.