Radio professionals gunning for recognition may get dumped this year after telecommunications giant MTN pulled out as the headline sponsor of South Africa's annual radio awards. Radio broadcasters were sent e-mails last month notifying them that the awards - formerly the MTN Radio Awards - were now the SA Radio Awards and that they were "on pause" until a new sponsor is secured.By this time of the year the final touches are being put in place for the awards, with the glitzy event usually held in April at the Sandton Convention Centre.SA Radio Awards' Taryn Westoby said: "It was decided to postpone the call to enter for 2016 until a new sponsor was finalised."It is imperative that we match the awards programme with a strong sponsor that wants to leave an imprint and drive potential in the radio industry."Since its inception in 2010, the awards have recognised the work of presenters, news and sports readers, producers and stations, ranging from small university facilities to national commercial stations.Westoby said: "The awards have grown from 196 to 1802 entries in only six years."She said the hunt was under way to secure a headline sponsor, although it is unclear if the event will even happen this year.Larry Annetts, MTN marketing executive, said the withdrawal was a change in the company's marketing and media strategy."MTN embarked on a review of its sponsorship portfolio and decided against renewing the contract with the MTN Radio Awards," he said.MTN, which sponsored the annual awards from the start, has made headlines over the past few months as a result of its financial woes, which include a multibillion-dollar fine in Nigeria and a drop in share prices...