A ‘STILL active at 84 years of age’ sportsman has been honoured by the Queen in the New Year Honours list.

George Evans, of Rhoose Point, in the Vale, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to table tennis in Wales.

Mr Evans has dedicated his entire life to the sport of table tennis in Wales.

For more than 60 years, he has developed an entire minority voluntary run sport in a country not known for table tennis.

Still playing competitively into his 70s, he picked up medals at world level competition alongside a European gold veterans medal.

He has dedicated time and significant energy in turning a sport of interest in Wales into a sport that competes globally at all levels and age groups for Welsh and British athletes.

His overarching commitment to a sport has had a direct positive impact on many, many others over many, many years and still today in his 80s is still active in helping the next generation of table tennis talent; namely at the Cwm Talwg community centre in Barry.

But Mr Evans, a former dock worker, was an all-round sportsman with a passion for all sports which also included his participation in golf, football, tennis, cricket and athletics.

The father-of-three and granddad-of-seven was once voted Barry Sportsman of the Year.

Mr Evans admitted he hadn’t been able to keep his nomination secret.

“I’ve told the whole world,” he said.

“Sport has been good to me.

“It’s a bit embarrassing, but I’ve got over the initial shock.”