MUMBAI: Sony Entertainment Television (SET) has announced the launch of its fourth annual Sports Personality of the year awards.

The awards are scheduled to take place on Saturday, 22 January 2005 at the world famous London Hilton, Park Lane.

In its fourth year, the hunt for the sports personality of the year is rumoured to feature more glitz and glamour. The announcement was made by SET Asia executive vice president International business Rajan Singh.

"The SET Sports Personality of the Year Awards is a unique event, which offers a fantastic platform to showcase across the globe the immense sporting talent that exists within the Asian community both in the UK and abroad. The profile and stature of the event is second to none and we look forward to an absolutely stunning ceremony in January," Singh was quoted in a company release as saying.

Over 600 VIPs from the world of showbiz, sports and business are expected to attend, what will be a very glamorous show.

Past attendees have included Sir Trevor Brooking, Kapil Dev, Mike Gatting, Arvind Parmar, current and ex-Premiership footballers, members of the Indian national cricket team and a host of other stars from the world of sport.

Leading lights from the entertainment industry have also performed at this glittering event including pop diva Jamelia, R & B heartthrobs Damage, chartbusting sensation Raghav and 'bhangramuffin' Apache Indian, says the release.

The SET Sports Personality of the Year Awards are voted for by members of the public around the world. The awards not only honour professional South Asian sport stars but focus on raising the profile of talented amateur and semi-professional South Asians involved in sport, who have not previously received the recognition that their efforts have deserved, says the release.

SET Asia is currently seeking nominations for nine categories. The categories at the SET Sports Personality of the Year Awards are as follows:
* Young Sports Personality of the Year (under 10)
* Junior Sports Personality of the Year (under 18, female)
* Junior Sports Personality of the Year (under 18, male)
* Most Up and Coming Sports Personality of the Year
* Outstanding Achievement Award
* Coach of the Year
* Lifetime Achievement Award
* International Sports Personality of the Year
* Sports Personality of the Year 2004.