Mexican referee Ramirez to receive National Award

MEXICO CITY, Mexico, November 4 2014 - Mexican international volleyball referee Miguel Angel Ramirez is the winner of the 2014 National Sports Award in the Judge Category.

The award by the Mexican government is a special distinction for Ramirez who is also Member of the Beach Volleyball Commission of the North Central American and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA).

Just a few months ago He was assigned to work at the II Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China, where he officiated in the girls’ final between the Canada and Brazil.

Ramirez Rivera will receive a Diploma and a Medal, along with a money prize of 675,350 Mexican Pesos (60,000 US Dollars) from the President of Mexico, Enrique Pena Nieto in a special ceremony scheduled on December 1st.

Ramirez was also recently recognized by the group of international referees and judges that took part in the FIVB World Tour Open in Parana. During his career, the Mexican referee has been nominated to five Olympic Games in Beach Volleyball, including the Youth of Nanjing.

For more than 25 years Ramirez Rivera has participated in many important competitions, such as the Pan American Games of Winnipeg 1999, Santo Domingo 2003, and Rio de Janeiro 2007.

His resume includes the Olympic Games of Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Beijing 2008 and London 2012. He also served as Supervisor at the XVI Pan American Games of Guadalajara 2011.

He was also one of the candidates for the National Sports Award in 2012 and 2013, but one year later the moment has arrived for Ramirez and beach volleyball, just when he is just a couple of weeks ahead of refereeing at the XXII Central American and Caribbean Games of Veracruz 2014.

With this prize, the National Sports and Physical Culture Commission (CONADE) along with the federal government recognize every year the Best Athlete, Best Paralympic Athlete, the Best Team, Best Coach, Best Judge or Referee as well as to individuals with solid careers and service to sport.