Wheelchair tennis SA gets top award
IT WAS the night of glitz and glamour when the hard-working, dedicated and record-breaking efforts of women in the country in various sporting codes were recognised at the Spar gsport Awards in Melrose, Johannesburg, at the weekend.
Wheelchair Tennis SA (WTSA) was named the National Federation of the Year, with top junior Nokwanda Hlongwane clinching two awards and Paralympian Kgothatso “KG” Montjane named Athlete of the Year with Disability. SA’s world number two junior Hlongwane, 18, won the Junior Athlete of the Year and the newly introduced School Sports Star award.
“I dedicate these awards to all the young girls in the country, I want to remind each and every one of them that their dreams are achievable,” said Hlongwane.
“When I took up wheelchair tennis I never knew I will be this greatly honoured one day, all I did was to keep working hard. I am very grateful.”
Montjane, the country’s number oneranked player, was crowned Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability for the second time. The 30-year-old is among the four wheelchair tennis players who will represent South Africa at the Paralympics that get underway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from September 7 to 18.
WTSA general manager Karen Losch applauded the hard work of her team.
“This award is in recognition of our hard working team, players, coaches, officials and referees,” Losch said.
“We are proud of the two athletes, Hlongwane and Montjane, for once again showing the world that it’s possible. They have been working very hard and we are excited they were recognised at this prestigious event.”
Losch also thanked the sponsor, Airports Company SA, saying it was through their generous sponsorship that the sport has grown tremendously since its inception in 2005.