Sporting legends confirm attendance at inaugural TV Sports Awards

Several sporting legends have confirmed their attendance at the TV Sports Awards ©Play for Change

Italy’s World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro, former FIFA World Player of the Year Luís Figo and ex-England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand are among the latest sporting legends to confirm their attendance at the inaugural TV Sports Awards.

Coinciding with the annual SPORTELMonaco convention, the awards ceremony on October 12 at the Yacht Club de Monaco will see several of the biggest brands and most influential figures in the global sports media industry receive honours.

Indian professional tennis player and multi Grand Slam mixed doubles champion Mahesh Bhupati is also confirmed as attending the star-studded ceremony, along with current Juventus goalkeeper Norberto Murara Neto and German footballer Célia Šašić, who won the UEFA Best Women’s player in Europe award for 2014/2015.

Awards will be presented across six categories at the ceremony which is being co-organised by SPORTEL and Play for Change, in collaboration with Eurosport and Infront Sports & Media.

The prizes on offer will be for Best Sports Broadcaster, Best Live Event Coverage, Best Digital Media Project, Media Executive of the Year, Best TV Rights Deal and a Sports Media and Finance Special Prize.

The ceremony will be presented by Sky's Kate Abdo and television presenter Guido Bagatta and will support Play for Change, a global sports charity dedicated to the provision of life changing opportunities for children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“We look forward to hosting world-renowned sportsmen and sportswomen plus some of the most important stakeholders in the sport and media industry at the ceremony,” said Marie Le Page, Director for Play for Change.

“A live auction will be run on the night which will help raise funds for Play for Change to develop and grow our global programmes that help transform the lives of young vulnerable children through sports and education.

Italy's FIFA World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro has confirmed his attendance ©Getty Images

“Play for Change uses sport and education as a driver of social change and the TV Sports Awards is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of our work to an influential audience.

“The evening will celebrate the best of the sport media industry but also reflect on the power of sport in helping to change the lives of disadvantaged communities and children.”

Play for Change will also hand out a special prize to a top-class athlete who they feel contributes most to helping vulnerable children through sport.

SPORTELMonaco runs from October 12 to 15 and insidethegames is an official media partner of the event.