Tennis player Markos Baghdatis has been voted as the best athlete of Cyprus in men's sports for 2006 by the island's Sports Writers' Association.

Cyprus News Agency reported on Wednesday that Baghdatis' trophy was received by his mother Antri Baghatis at a special ceremony on Tuesday night. Markos is currently in Australia playing in Sydney International men's singles.

Andri Eleftheriou was elected Cyprus' best athlete in women's sports events. She won a gold medal in the skeet event in the Commonwealth Games and other medals in different world shooting competitions.

Cypriot parliament speaker Demetris Christofias addressed the ceremony, noting that sports can act as a bridge between nations, promote peace and inter-cultural dialogue.

He said he will continue to be a consistent friend and supporter of sports writers and Cyprus athletics and wished that 2007 will bring more success to Cyprus sports.

Source: Xinhua