Your vote counts!

As the end of another superlative sports year approaches, we want to celebrate by giving our readers the chance to vote in the annual Emirates Business Sport Awards.

Having debated among ourselves who deserves to make the final cut, we have narrowed the nominees down to four candidates in each of the seven categories. Now it's up to you.

To vote, simply e-mail us at sport@business24-7.ae mentioning each category and the name of the person or team you think should be given each award. Voting closes 11pm Thursday, December 25, with results appearing in Saturday's edition.


Sportswoman of the year

A: YELENA ISINBAYEVA

The pole vaulter broke the indoor record in February and then, six months later, the outdoor record at the Olympics. It was the Russian's 24th world record.

B: NATELIE DU TOIT

The South African swimmer lost her left leg in a scooter accident when she was a student, yet managed to qualify for the Olympics and compete in the 10km event.

C: LORENA OCHOA

The Mexican golfer cemented her place as the world No1. She won her second consecutive major championship and also had a four-tournament winning streak.

D: REBECCA ADLINGTON

The 19-year old became Britain's first Olympic swimming champion since 1988, when she won the 400m and 800m races in Beijing – breaking a record as old as Adlington herself.


Moment to remember

A: FAN-TASTICALLY FAST

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt turned to the crowd and celebrated his 100m victory at the Beijing Olympics with 10m of the race to run. He went on to break the world record.

B: AN ALL-ENGLAND EPIC

Nadal dethroned King Federer of Wimbledon, but was made to fight after taking a two-set lead. The five-set epic will go down in history as one of the best matches yet.

C: KP'S WICKET WALTZ

England captain Pietersen switched stance mid-delivery, dancing down the wicket and smashing New Zealand's Scott Styris – left-handed – for two memorable boundaries.

D: ONE-LEGGED WONDER

Tiger Woods' phenomenal abilities by winning the US Open virtually on one leg. The world No1 was suffering from a knee injury and has been ruled out of action ever since.


Failure to a fault

A: ROBBIE KEANE

Keane joined Liverpool for £20m (Dh100m) after netting 80 goals in 193 league games for Spurs. But the Irishman has found himself benched after a glut of goalless, disappointingly dire displays.

B: HEIKKI KOVALAINEM

Finland's second-best F1 driver joined McLaren with high hopes, but having only managed three podiums in 18 races, McLaren lost the manufacturer's title to rivals Ferrari.

C: MARTIN JOHNSON

After the inconsistency of Brian Ashton, England fans welcomed the appointment as manager of one of their biggest heroes. But the 2003 World Cup captain has lost three out of four games so far.

D: ALLEN STANFORD

The concept of a winner-takes-all $20-million match had so much promise, but Stanford's 'Twenty20 for 20' event failed to compare to the lucrative Indian Premier League.


Sportsman of the year

A: MICHAEL PHELPS

The American became the first person in history to win eight Gold medals at a single Olympic Games. The swimmer now has 14 golds – more than any other athlete.

B: CRISTIANO RONALDO

The 23-year-old scored 42 goals from midfield last season to help Manchester United claim both the Premier League and Champions League titles. He also won the Ballon d'Or.

C: USAIN BOLT

The 22-year-old won three gold medals in Beijing, breaking his own 100m world record, the 200m world record, and winning the 4x100m with the Jamaican relay team.

D: RAFAEL NADAL

On his way to becoming world No1, the 22-year-old was crowned the youngest player to win at both Wimbledon and Roland Garros. At the French Open he didn't drop a set..


Emerging talent

A: AJANTHA MENDIS

The Sri Lankan spinner rocketed on to the international scene with his mixed bag of tricks. He is still on course to become the fastest bowler to 50 ODI wickets and has 26 scalps in three Tests.

B: ROBERT KUBICA

Lewis Hamilton may be World Champion, but BMW Sauber's Kubica showed his force in F1. The Pole finished top three in seven of the 18 races and won in Canada.

C: ANDY MURRAY

Not so much an emerging star, but an emerging superstar. The Scot stepped up his game this year and several good performances – including reaching the US Open final – have seen him ranked No4.

D: HASHIM AMLA

The South African No3 batsman has suddenly become a force in world cricket with some stunning displays. His Test average has shot above 40 and his ODI stats above 50.


Loser of the year

A: FERRARI F1 TEAM

On the last turn of the last lap at the season-ending Grand Prix in Brazil, Ferrari lost the World Championship. Massa may have won the race, but Lewis Hamilton was the driver left celebrating.

B: JOHN TERRY

The Chelsea skipper's misskicked penalty in the Champions League final saw the Blues' dream end. Worse still, it saw the European Cup awarded to rivals Man Utd.

C: ROGER FEDERER

The once untouchable Swiss star lost his Australian Open crown, his Wimbledon title, the French Open and his No1 ranking this year.

D: MOHAMMAD ASIF

The Pakistan fast bowler was first caught with illegal substances at Dubai Airport, then, weeks later, failed an IPL doping test. The 26-year-old was banned, and, appeal pending, it could spell the end of his career.


Team of the year

A: THE ALL BLACKS

New Zealand's rugby team bounced back from a disappointing World Cup in 2007 by winning a fourth Tri-Nations and a third Grand Slam crown – losing only twice overall.

B: INDIAN CRICKET TEAM

Winning an ODI series Down Under and then beating the Australians in a Test Series is not something to take lightly. The Subcontinent giants also drew with South Africa.

C: SPANISH NATIONAL SIDE

The Spaniards became the first team to have never won a World Cup yet be ranked No1 by Fifa. Their sensational Euro 2008 triumph saw to that.

D: MANCHESTER UNITED

The Red Devils, in clinching their 17th top-flight title and their third European Cup, secured a second European Double. They can add the Club World Cup tomorrow if they beat LDU Quito.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.