Having been held in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur last year, the event will stay in Asia for its 16th edition.

The exact date and venue for the awards has yet to be announced.

Broadcast around the world, the awards honour the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year, as well as Team of the Year, Breakthrough of the Year, Comeback of the Year and Sportsperson with a Disability of the Year.

The 2015 event will be supported by textile and wool manufacturer HengYuanXiang Group (HYX), the Host Partner for the event, and the Shanghai Municipal Government.

"I am delighted that the 2015 Laureus Awards will be held in Shanghai, an exhilarating and vibrant city," said Edwin Moses, chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy.

"I have been to Shanghai many times, including visits with fellow Laureus Academy members Sebastian Coe, Nadia Comaneci and Michael Johnson, and have always enjoyed its very special atmosphere."

He added: "Laureus has been working in Shanghai for many years and now that we are working together I know this will give us the chance to expand our work here significantly."

Proceeds from the Laureus World Sports Awards aid the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which supports more than 150 community sports projects in 34 countries, including China.

Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel was awarded Sportsman of the Year at this year's ceremony ©Getty Images



This year's ceremony was due to be held in Rio de Janeiro before it was cancelled in January and moved to Kuala Lumpur over what were understood to be financial problems.

The first four Laureus World Sports Awards were held in Monaco from 2000 to 2003, before the Portuguese cities of Lisbon and Estoril staged the event in 2004 and 2005 respectively.

Barcelona in Spain held the event for the following two years, with St Petersburg in Russia hosting it in 2008.

The 2009 event was cancelled over the global financial crisis, with Abu Dhabi staging the awards in 2011 and 2011, London in 2012 and Rio de Janeiro in 2013.

Chen Zhongwei, group general manager of Host Partner HYX Group, said: "2015 marks the Chinese Year of Sheep.

"In Chinese culture, the sheep symbolizes good luck, which is the best greeting for the 2015 Laureus World Sports Awards, the first such event in China.

"As an international metropolis, Shanghai has been known for its 'Shanghai Style' across the world.

"And this debut of Laureus in China should no doubt take advantage of the geographical strength of Shanghai."

Four-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel was awarded Sportsman of the Year at March's awards, with swimmer Missy Franklin awarded Sportswoman of the Year.

"We are very delighted that the Awards Ceremony for 2015 Laureus World Sports Awards is going to be held in Shanghai, an enthusiastic sporting city," said Mayor of Shanghai Yang Xiong.

"We will strongly support Laureus to ensure that we hold a successful and wonderful awards ceremony and hope that the excellent athletes from around the world and all who come for this great event can have a great time in Shanghai."

The winners of the Laureus World Sports Awards are selected by a sports jury of 46 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, made up of "the living legends of sport".