By Ross Karl
It's the time of the year when I get frustrated and angry, and I'm sure it's not just me. It's Halbergs Awards time.
That means pointless, unnecessary comparisons and ridiculous arguments.
If it wasn't for the Halberg Trust helping so many disabled kids get into sport, I'd say get rid of these silly awards.
The skills in most sports are barely comparable. It's the same for the context of the achievements – individual or team sport, number of global participants and the popularity on television.
How can we possibly say one person or team's achievement is any better than anyone else's? Besides which, who are we to say it?
Fair play to the athletes who show up each year. They're there for the Halberg Trust's cause. They know better than anyone else that every success is unique. Most of them show up, despite knowing they're about to be told they're good, but not as great as someone who does something completely different.
How do you compare a World Cup winning rugby first five-eighth with a motor racing driver, a golfer and a cricketer? The context of Dan Carter's World Cup dropped goal is so much different to a Kane Williamson's six to beat Australia. Danny Lee's pinpoint approach shots at the Greenbrier Classic are nothing like Scott Dixon's late season IndyCar heroics. How could they be? They're not supposed to be. So how can you possibly compare them?
There's always been a bias towards Olympic sports, especially in an Olympic year. If you're not at the Olympics this year, consider your achievements in your non-Olympic sport to be judged second rate in 2017. How is that fair? What makes the Olympics the be all and end all of sport every four years?
Each year, individuals are compared to athletes in team sports. They shouldn't be. Rugby players depend on the people around them to be able to do what they do. Lydia Ko has a caddy to help out. Swimmers are on their own. Valerie Adams throws a big stone from a circle. Cricketers deliver isolated individual skills within a team game.
What is with the obsession with comparing apples and oranges?
All the achievements of the finalists are amazing. They're at or near the very top of their field. They all deserve to be celebrated but don't deserve to have their victories belittled by judges deciding someone else's is better.
Maybe we should find another way to raise money for the Halberg Trust. Maybe they could hold a sporting event. Feel free to provide any ideas in the comments section below because these awards make no sense.
The Halberg Awards are tiresome, frustrating and pointless.
Newshub.