An annual event honouring contributions made in the Windsor-Essex sports community will take on an international flavour this World Cup year.
The 19th annual Windsor-Essex Sports Person of the Year (WESPY) Awards will take place on Tuesday, April 21, at the Caboto Club in Windsor.
At a media conference streamed live on Tuesday morning, organizers revealed the keynote speaker for the event, Italian soccer star Alessandro Del Piero.
WESPY Awards founder Domenic Papa said it will be the first time a soccer luminary will speak at the awards, and that the timing was ideal with Canada co-hosting this summer's FIFA World Cup.
"He's been to all the major announcements for the World Cup," said Papa. "He's very present on a lot of the telecasts of international soccer, and he's going to be an unbelievable speaker on the night of the WESPY Awards."
Speaking in a taped message, Del Piero said he was humbled to have been invited to speak in Windsor.
"Events like this, like the WESPY Awards, are important for many reasons, but also because they celebrate not only achievement, but also passion, commitment, and values that sport teaches us every day," said Del Piero.
Del Piero played for the Italian national team from 1995 to 2008, winning the World Cup in 2006. As a senior club player, he starred for Padova, Juventus, Sydney FC, and the Delhi Dynamos. Juventus was where he found the most success, scoring 208 league goals and 25 Copa Italia goals.
Since 2015, Del Piero has worked as a commentator for Sky Sports Italia.
Each year, awards are presented to local athletes for their various achievements in their chosen sport, and for their work within the community. Coaches and volunteers have also been honoured.
Past speakers have included golf legend Jack Nicklaus, Olympic figure skating gold medalist Dorothy Hamill, Tigers and Blue Jays Hall of Fame pitcher Jack Morris, and last year, basketball luminary Julius Erving.
Tickets to the 19th WESPY Awards are available by sending an inquiry via email at wespytickets@gmail.com.
