SPORTING activities often amount to personal challenges. Those who engage in sport are often as eager to test themselves against personal standards as to break records, beat opponents or secure a podium place.

This principle was in evidence to a truly remarkable extent at the Sportingbet Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony held at Beau Séjour in Guernsey last week.

The special achievement award went to former Jersey Evening Post assistant editor Anthony Lewis, who suffered a serious stroke in 2007. He was recognised for the force of character, determination and indomitable spirit which enabled him to complete last year’s Jersey marathon course over the course of six successive – and often painful – days.

That Mr Lewis, who has impaired speech and limited mobility, was, with much effort, able to walk a total of more than 26 miles was in itself worthy of the achievement award. However, in attaining what was certainly an important personal goal, he also raised £25,000 for the Jersey branch of the Stroke Association.

Characteristically, after receiving his award, he wrote these pithy words to encourage others to take up their own challenges: ‘Anyone can do it if you put your mind to it – come on!’

There were, meanwhile, other very worthy winners at the ceremony, including Jersey rugby player Nick Trower, who was named Sports Personality of the Year. His inspirational role in the Island XV has been widely praised, but on receiving his trophy he demonstrated another aspect of the true Corinthian spirit, praising his team-mates and dedicating his award to them.

All too often in international sport we see examples of bad behaviour, foul play, gamesmanship and dismissive or patronising attitudes to opponents. Last week’s awards ceremony and its winners in all categories provided magnificent evidence that sporting endeavour can be honest, fair, friendly and, well, sportsmanlike.

But events such as the Sportingbet evening help to focus attention not only on the most acceptable face of sport. They also emphasise just how much sport is played in the Channel Islands.

We should all be grateful that activities on pitches, on tracks, on the road, in sports halls and in pools throughout the bailiwicks produce award-winning sportsmen and women. We should also be grateful that so much Channel Island sport is played with such civilised enthusiasm.