Previously awarded to an array of celebrated dignitaries including Sir Bobby Charlton and Bernie Ecclestone, the Lifetime Achievement Award recognises individuals whose work and dedication has changed the face of the sport industry forever.

The judging panel said that Sir Philip (pictured above and below, left) had made a seismic contribution to UK sport and that his commitment and presence had stamped an indelible mark on the sport industry over a number of decades.

He was presented with the award by his former British wheelchair basketball teammate Armand Thiboutot (pictured below, right) and former NBA player John Amaechi (pictured below, centre) in front of an audience of 1,750 key figures from across the entire spectrum of British and European sport.

"Sir Philip Craven has fought tirelessly and at times against fierce opposition in his 40-year quest for self-determination and the advancement of wheelchair basketball and the Paralympic Movement as a whole," said the Sport Industry Group chairman Nick Keller.

"It is no exaggeration to say that, without him, the Paralympics we know today and the Games we look forward to this summer would be absolutely unrecognisable.

"The Sport Industry Awards judges were unanimous in their decision to award Sir Philip this Award and I know their admiration for his achievements is echoed not just in this country, or on this continent, but all around the world."

The 61-year-old from Bolton, has been IPC President since 2001, with London 2012 is set to be his sixth Paralympic Games as head of the organisation.


He is also an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member, a London 2012 Board member and a British Olympic Association (BOA) Executive Board member.

"I am delighted that Sir Philip has been recognised by his peers with this prestigious award, it is thoroughly deserved," said IPC chief executive Xavier Gonzalez.

"Under his stewardship the Paralympic Movement has made enormous leaps forward, transforming from a disability sports organization into a sports organisation.

"It is fitting that in the lead-up to London 2012 he receives this accolade."

Before becoming IPC President, Sir Philip was President of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) having previously held roles at national and international level within the sport.

He made his Paralympic Games debut in 1972, competing in the sports of swimming and wheelchair basketball before going on to represent Britain in wheelchair basketball at four further Paralympic Games between 1976 and 1988.

During his international wheelchair basketball career Sir Philip won the 1973 world title and two European titles in 1971 and 1974, although a Paralympic medal eluded him.

In 1991, he received an MBE in recognition of his services to wheelchair basketball and in 2005, he was knighted for his services to Paralympic sport.

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