Bonnie Mugabe, a senior sports journalist with The New Times, has once again been trusted to participate in the voting for the Fifa Ballon d’Or 2013 World Player of the Year and Coach of the Year. Mugabe is among a few selected sports journalists from around the world to vote in the football’s most decorated individual awards. This is the fourth year in a row that Mugabe will be voting in the exercise organised by France Football Magazine. “It is a privilege for me, and for Rwandan sports media to be part of this process,” Mugabe said on Sunday.However, Mugabe could not shed light on his preferences for the Awards prior to the official announcement of the winners as he is not allowed to do so in order to protect the interests and credibility of the Fifa Ballon d’Or. According to a statement from Gerard Ejnes, Assistant Managing Editor of France Football, the composition of the international jury consists of specialised journalists, national team coaches and national team captains.In respect of each jury member’s nominations, three nominated players and three nominated coaches receive five, three and one point(s), respectively, dependent upon whether the juror places the player or coach first (in which case they receive 5 points), second (3 points) or third (1 point).There are 23 players short-listed for the FIFA Ballon d’Or from which voters will select three.There is also a list of 10 coaches from which three will be picked.The winners of all of the Awards will be revealed at the FIFA Ballon d’Or gala in Zurich on January 13, 2014.
