Tony Lewis to become a C.B.E.

Tony Lewis, the 63 year old former Glamorgan and England captain, is to become a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2002 New Year Honours List.

Tony, who this year led the successful bid to bring golf's Ryder Cup to Wales in 2010, receives his CBE for services to sport, broadcasting and Wales.

He has had a lifetime in sport and the media - the first Welshman to captain England in Tests, he also led Glamorgan to the County Championship in 1969. He has remained actively involved with the club, as Chairman, and currently President, in addition to serving as President of the M.C.C,, and during his term of office, Lord`s hosted the 1999 Cricket World Cup final.

A founder member of the Sports Council for Wales, Tony has also worked as a cricket commentator and presenter, and from 1992 until 2000, he served as chair of the Wales Tourist Board. In 2000, Tony took on the chairmanship of Wales's Ryder Cup bid, funded by Sir Terry Matthews, the wealthy owner of the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, and he was rewarded with confirmation a couple of months ago that the Newport course will stage the 2010 Ryder Cup.

Naturally, Tony was extremely pleased with the news of his honour, and said it was a great honour for his whole family. "It's a very warm feeling, and a lovely surprise. My family are basking in it, which is only right I suppose. It is an honour which is very well accepted, but often you depend on so many people. I have been very lucky."

Although he does not know who nominated him, or why, he said he felt his work in promoting Wales, and Welsh sporting organisations was instrumental, especially the success of the Ryder Cup campaign. "I'm sure it's been a major contribution, especially as it was such a terrific success for Wales and I enjoyed it immensely. It was a team effort, everything has knitted together well and it had a very happy conclusion at the end of the day when Wales won the Ryder Cup bid."