Luca is Eswatini’s Finest
SWIMMING sensation Luca Fraser is the country’s outstanding athlete for 2024.
The Swim Lab star stole the show during the 2024 National Sports Awards where he walked away with the Outstanding Sports Star of the Year and the outstanding junior sportsman. This was during the awards ceremony held at the George Hotel on Wednesday. Fraser went home E35 000 richer for winning the two accolades (20 000 for Sportsman of the Year) and E15 000(Junior Sportsman for the Year) respectively.
Fraser excelled during January and December 2023 where he won 10 medals during the CANA Zone IV awards.
The 13-year-old Enjabulweni high school pupil said he was happy with his success.
“I am pleased with my achievements. I would like to thank my family, and team (Swimlab) for supporting me throughout my career,” he said.
He further stated his main goal was to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games scheduled for the United States of America (USA).
Deputy Prime Minister Thuli Dlamini congratulated the entire awards. Dladla represented Prime Minister Russell Dlamini during the prestigious national award ceremony.
“We would like to congratulate all the winners. We recognise the role that is played by sports in the country towards nationbuilding. We are pleased with the manner in which the awards are being handled as they also include children living with disabilities,” she said.
Dladla further urged the private sector to support sports in the country.
Other Awards winners included the Eswatini Teqball Federation (Best Association award, Hayley Hoy (Outstanding Junior Female Sports Star of the Year, Welcome Nhlabatsi (Oustanding Sports Coach), Mancoba Nhlabatsi (Outstanding Senior Sports Man).
The winners won themselves E1 5000 each courtesy of the Eswatini Sports and Recreation Council (ESRC).
The winners will further represent the country in the 2025 RASA awards set to take place in Zambia.
Some of the awards winners Sportsman of the Year – Luca Fraser (Swimming) E20 000.
Outstanding junior sportsman of the year – Luca Fraser (Swimming)-E15 000. Outstanding junior female sports star for the year – Hayley Hoy (Swimming ) E15 000. Sports Coach of the Year -Welcome Nhlabatsi (Swimming) E15 000. Outstanding senior sportsman – Mancoba Nhlabatsi (Athletics) E15 000.
Outstanding sports star with disability Shagon Mohhamed (Special Olympics) E15 000.
Outstanding Sports Association – Eswatini Teqball Federation E15 000.
Outstanding team of the year – Correctional Sunrise, Darts youth national team to share E15 000
Honorary awards – Maswazi Shongwe, Lawrence ‘Lolo’ Mthethwa