Warming up for KZN Sports Awards in Durban tonight
THE scene is set for this evening’s KwaZulu-Natal Sports Awards banquet at the Chief Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban, to be hosted by the MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Bongi SitholeMoloi.
The awards seek to recognise and reward individual athletes, coaches and administrators as well as teams throughout the province for their excellence in their chosen sports on and off the field in the past year (from August 1, 2015, to July 31, 2016). Judging by the list of finalists this year’s KZN Sport Awards is set to be one of the best since their inception in 2013.
Vying for the KZN Sportsman of the Year award are a sprinkling of Olympians, including canoeist Hank McGregor and triathlete Henri Schoeman along with netball player Sphele Mthembu. Canoeist Bridgitte Hartley is again nominated for the Sportswoman of the Year award, with cricketer Dinesha Devnerain and synchro swimmer Phindile Makhaye.
Sithole-Moloi said in a media release: “In line with our vision to promote a province of sports winners and champions, it is critical that we reward such excellence, as our champions are also our ambassadors and we look forward to celebrating and acknowledging their success with them on this special occasion.”
There are four candidates for the Junior Sportsman of the Year award: Jean van der Westhuisen (canoeing), Thembo Makhanya (tennis), Samukelo Mkhize (karate full contact) and Dylan Drysdale (shooting), while the Junior Sportswoman title will be contested between Jasmin Martin (judo) and swimmers Erin Gallagher and Samantha Labuschagne.
Athletes with disabilities have not been forgotten, with Hylton Heggie (swimming) and Sihle Mntungwa (judo) nominated for the men’s award, and swimmers Alani Ferreira and Melissa Ann van Bosch for the women’s.
The public are given an opportunity to vote for their favourite sports star in the Sports Personality of the Year Category through an SMS line 33258. Just SMS the word “Ompethabethu” followed by your favourite from this list: