SUNDAY NIGHT's national football awards had more plays than usual.

On a night that dashing 20-year-old striker Dwayne McClean walked away with the Player Of The Year for the 2007 Barbados Football Association's (BFA) 2007 season, new Prime Minister David Thompson gave powerful endorsement to Ronald Jones staying on as president.

The football fraternity would have been happy to have three Cabinet ministers at an awards ceremony. Jones, the new Minister of Education, and Thompson, who is also Minister of Finance and Labour, were joined at Almond Bay, Hastings, by Minister of Sport, Dr Esther Byer-Suckoo.

Thompson pledged full commitment from his Democratic Labour Party (DLP), who were swept into office with a resounding 20-10 victory at the polls three weeks ago.

"And I want only to say, that I give you my commitment that the Democratic Labour Party and this Government will give maximum support to football in this country.

"Football is one of those sports in which people from all walks of life but particularly people who are the most marginalised in this country, are able to come together, play together and to leave with a sense of achievement and fulfilment," he said.

The BFA also presented special awards to people regarded as the pillars and builders of football. These included former BFA presidents Archie Batson and Denis Cumberbatch; ex-national footballers Clifford "Tosh" Gittens, Victor Goddard, Denis Harewood, Cedric Nicholls and Mark Marshall.

Referees Lisle Sinkler, Anthony "Indian" Farrell, Ronald "Shah" Benn and Anthony Downes were also honoured as well as administrator Inspector Jeffrey Howell, Charles Pickering and Keith Simmons while special awards were given to Dr Raymond Forde, Joe Edghill and Raymond Layne of Sports and Games.

Sponsors Digicel, Arawak Cement and Cave Shepherd were also recognised.