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It's the 24th annual Maori Sports Awards tomorrow, when sports fans count up the number of Maori who are at the top of their game, not just in Aotearoa but around the globe.
Organiser Dick Garratt says the number of nominees seems to grow every year as Maori find new sports to conquer.
The audeince at the gala event at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau will see Philip Tataurangi, whose golfing career was cut short by injury, and rugby league legend Stacey Jones inducted into the Maori Sports Hall of Fame.
Mr Garratt says it's fitting recogition.
" Probably a bit like Buck Shelford at that time, when they could have been a Maori Sportsperson of the Year, but they just missed the boat by other greats, by being at the same time. But of course Stacey has been acknowledged as a scholarship recipient way back, and also as a special trustees honour. He has been an outstanding role model " he says.
Dick Garratt says the hardest sections to judge were the tohu for Maori sports administrator and junior Maori sportswoman, because of the quality of talent on offer.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH DICK GARRATT CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjQ0NTc=
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