Nominees list can't get any better, says Becker

Boris Becker, vice chairperson of the Laureus World Sports Academy, has hailed the line-up for this year's annual awards.

"When we founded this 11 years back we never thought we would have a field like this one that includes Roger Federer, Usain Bolt, Lionel Messi and Serena Williams," Becker told Gulf News from Germany yesterday.

"Each year when we have a look at the list of nominees we feel proud and honoured to have the names of some of the best sports personalities. There are so many legends in their chosen fields and each year this list is different," he noted.

"Federer has won the award four times, Bolt won it last year and Messi is yet to win it. These are greats and every youngster in any part of the world seeks to use these legends as their role models. When we have a look at the list of nominees this year, we can safely say that it can't get any better," Becker added.

The Laureus Awards will be presented at a globally televised awards ceremony to be staged at the Emirates Palace on March 10.

"Tennis is my first love and it would be lovely to see a tennis player win the award again," Becker said.