Having effortlessly transitioned into acting, Fouzia's debut film swiftly captured global acclaim, earning accolades at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival
The awards, to be held on March 10, recognize achievements in 2009 — a year in which Federer surpassed Pete Sampras for the most tennis grand slam singles titles by winning his sixth Wimbledon crown, as well as taking his first French Open title.
Federer won the Laureus award for four straight years until Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt took it out last year. Bolt is on the shortlist again for his three golds at the athletics World Championships.
Ethiopian athlete Kenesisa Bekele became the first man to win the 5,000 and 10,000 meters double at that World Championships and was also shortlisted.
Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador, who won his second Tour de France in three years, was also among the contenders, along with Barcelona and Argentina footballer Lionel Messi, who won the FIFA World Player of the Year, plus Italy’s Valentino Rossi, who claimed his seventh Moto GP title.
Serena Williams was the only previous winner to be shortlisted for the women’s award, after winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon and regaining the No.1 ranking.
Two American compatriots were also shortlisted: skiier Lindsey Vonn who won the World Cup for a second year and two golds at the World Championship, plus athlete Sanya Richards, who finally took out a 400 meters major title at the World Championships.
Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser was nominated for adding World Championships 100 meters gold to her Olympic victory.
Two stars of the swimming World Championships were shortlisted: Germany Britta Steffen for world record wins in the 50 and 100 meters freestyle, and Italy’s Federica Pellegrini for breaking four minutes in the 400 meters freestyle.
South Africa’s rugby team was one of six outfits in the running for Team of the Year. The Springboks, who took out the Laureus Award in 2008 after winning the World Cup, beat the British Lions and won the southern hemisphere Tri-Nations crown.
Barcelona will be the favourite for the award, after taking the unprecedented treble of the European Champions League, Spanish league and Spain’s Copa del Rey.
The New York Yankees, who won their 27th baseball World Series, were nominated, along with the Los Angeles Lakers for taking their 15th NBA title.
The Brawn Formula One team, which won the drivers’ and constructors’ world championships after almost going out of business in the offseason, was shortlisted, along with Germany’s women’s football team for claiming a fifth straight European title.
Cyclist Lance Armstrong — a former winner of the main men’s award — was nominated in the Comeback of the Year category after finishing third in the Tour de France following a four-year retirement.
Belgian tennis star Kim Clijsters will be a strong contender after winning the U.S. Open following a two-year hiatus to have her first child.
Golfer Tom Watson, who came within a putt of winning the British Open at age 59, will be a strong sentimental favourite.
Having effortlessly transitioned into acting, Fouzia's debut film swiftly captured global acclaim, earning accolades at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival
Parag, who reached his 50 off 34 balls, cracked 25 runs with three fours and two sixes off the final over bowled by star South Africa paceman Anrich Nortje
Fans were left scratching their heads when Mumbai opted to take Bumrah out of the attack after he bowled the fourth over
With the help of modern equipment, manicured golf courses and elite athletes the scores are getting lower and the game becoming even more captivating
With 10 matches remaining Arsenal lead a three-way title race having won eight successive games
Three separate Israeli strikes on Wednesday, including on a health centre in the border village of Habariyeh, killed 11 civilians
Netanyahu tries to soothe a rift with Biden as he plans to send a government delegation to Washington after earlier cancelling the trip
Among the 24 horses Japan has sent to Dubai is impressive Riyadh Dirt Sprint winner Remake who eyes a Middle East double