Sportsmail’s Isaan scoops gong

SPORTSMAIL’S Isaan Khan was honoured with the Ian Wooldridge Award yesterday by the Sports Journalists Association.

Isaan was named ‘One to Watch’ in the writing category after a stellar year that includes a string of brilliant scoops. His intrepid work includes a superb investigation into the hapless stewarding operation at Wembley, which led to the firm in charge of protecting matchday fans being sacked after their failures were exposed. Isaan (right) also secured an exclusive interview with convicted cricket fraudster Allen Stanford from behind bars in Florida, and shone a light on the aftermath of three tragedies in British boxing. The judging panel said of Isaan’s winning portfolio: ‘Isaan displayed all the skills of a top-class journalist. His outstanding undercover investigation to expose scandal at Wembley had a far-reaching impact.

‘He is clearly destined for big things. His portfolio carries depth, importance, tenacity and energy. Nothing was easy about any of these pieces. Isaan is an outstanding operator who discovers information and relays it readably.’

The Wooldridge award was first handed out in 2008 to the best young sports journalist and is named after the Daily Mail’s legendary sports writer, who passed away in 2007.