The Judges' Award has become an integral part of the Leicester Mercury Sports Awards over the past 15 years.

It gives the judging panel an opportunity to recognise a story worthy of particular praise from the nominees.

Since 2009 the award has been named after Neville Hamilton, the former Leicester City player and coach who was a member of the judging panel before his death that year.

"Neville was a great coach and it is good to see his name linked to this award," said Mukesh Bulsara, a director of business service advisor MHA MacIntyre Hudson, which is sponsoring this year's awards.

"This is also a community award and that is something that is very important for us. "We want to be part of the community and see efforts receive the recognition they deserve."

Mr Bulsara said he was a huge fan of sport in Leicestershire and played cricket for the Aryans club, of Leicestershire, in the Leicestershire League.

It is hardly a surprise, then, that Leicestershire Foxes' Friends Life t20 victory is at the top of his 2011 sporting highlights. He hopes to see more success for the Grace Road men in 2012.

"It is nice to see a local lad returning, with Ben Smith coming to Leicestershire as a batting coach this year," he said.

"Leicestershire were poor outside the t20 competition last year so hopefully having Ben on board will help to improve our efforts."

He would be thrilled to see success for Leicester Tigers and his "beloved" Leicester City, and was also optimistic about the prospects for Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders.

"I think the Riders will do well. They are already well-positioned," he said, crediting head coach, Rob Paternostro.

"He has the team well-shaped and well-motivated," he said. "The Riders are not the biggest club in the league but they did very well last season and are doing the same again this season. I hope they can carry that on."