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ESWATINI Sport and Recreation Council (ESRIC) had its ultimate rewards programme in the past week.

This is none other than the returning National Sports Awards which were held at the Happy Valley Hotel in Ezulwini last Wednesday. As per the Awards Rule Book, the eventual winners were nominated by the recognised national sports associations. Notably and deservedly, there was no winner from football, as it was stressed that the winners should be sports personalities who shone in the last two years. It was good to note that one of the sporting codes that is part of the country’s podium performance programme, boxing, has produced a shining star again.

Attention

Boxer Zweli Dlamini is proving to punch above his weight. It is high time he gets the attention given to the likes of Thabiso Dlamini and Sibusiso ‘Swazi-Bolt’ Matsenjwa. He is a prospect for the future and should be trained abroad sometimes.

It is no surprise that taekwondo has emerged as the outstanding sports association. Taekwondo artists have always demonstrated the ability to reach for the stars. The association even produced podium finishers on the big stage like in the All Africa Games in Maputo back in 2011. Sanele Ginindza and Sithandile Dlamini brought home bronze in their respective divisions.

The bigger picture, especially for the country’s sporting bodies, is to invest more on these associations that are showing a potential to put the country on the world map. For instance, there is nothing wrong if government can wake up one day and decide to give the E5 million annual grant to taekwondo instead of Sihlangu.