High achievers in the sports spotlight
The Eastern Cape Achiever awards are coming of age as they celebrate their 21st anniversary, with the organisers adding a new twist.
The award winners will be added to the national sport awards nominations.
The awards take place on Friday at 7pm at the Boardwalk Hotel’s conference centre.
The Eastern Cape minister of sport, Bulelwa Tunyiswa, said it was all systems go.
“We are more than ready to host this year’s awards, more so in this centenary year of Tata Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and Mama Albertina Nontsikekelo Sisulu,” said Tunyiswa.
“The awards ceremony will recognise and honour individuals, federations and teams who have excelled for the period June 1st to 30 June 2018.
“This year’s theme is ‘Be the legacy’, celebrating the participation of women in sport.”
Department of Sport general manager Deidre Sedras said they had aligned the awards categories and criteria to those of the national sport awards.
“It’s our 21st year of hosting the Eastern Cape Achievers Awards. We have come a long way with the achievers awards and are one of the provinces that have been constantly hosting this function,” said Sedras.
“The final winners in most of the categories will go directly into national nomination process. We have streamlined our criteria as well as our categories to those the national awards would be.
“However, there are categories that are unique to the Eastern Cape.”
President of the Eastern Cape Sport Confederation, Mkhululi Magada, explained the road leading to selecting the top three names for each category.
“The role of the department and the sport confederation is to make sure that we coordinate then also make sure that the event becomes a success,” said Magada.
The categories are:
Volunteer awards in Indigenous
Games: Monwabisi Tuku, Xoliswa Jikeka, Desmond Josiah Coetzee, Nkosinathi Biko, Makhaya Magqwati, Mzox-
olo Sean Mafisane, Sandile Njovane, Masterboy Blaai Organisation of the year: Danti Recreation Forum, Imvomvu, Youth In Motion - Nakanjani
Photographer of the year: Selby Madikane, Sino Majangaza, Michael Sheehan Presenter of the year: Vuyisa Kulase, Akona Makalima, Thando Mgedezi Journalist of the year: Selby Madikane, Vuyokazi Nkanjeni; Ross Roche Indigenous Games star of the
year: Zoleka Gwedlisa, Asanda Swelindawo Indigenous Games team of the
year: EC Diketo Team, EC Intonga Team, EC Kgati Team
Volunteer of the year: Laetitia Golden (hockey), Spencer Mali (rugby), Gugulethu Senti (tennis)
School team of the year: Graeme College (1st XI Cricket), Ntlaza Junior Secondary School (Rugby), Mtyu Junior Secondary School (Softball) Developing school team of the
year: Mary Waters High (Rugby), Ncapai Junior Secondary School (Gymnastics), Nomzamo Junior Secondary School (Juksei) Technical official of the year: Tiffany Adams (table tennis), Shaun George (cricket), Deon Nel (hockey) Sport administrator of the year: Sibongile Fondini (various sports), Ayanda Matiti (Boxing), Willie Uys (transplant sports) Coach of the year: Sondisa Magajana (judo), Gerhard Posthumus (athletics), Mandy Zoonekynd (gymnastics) Team of the year for persons with disability: EC Boccia (Boccia), EC Disabled Table Tennis (table tennis), EC Wheelchair Basketball (wheelchair basketball)
Sport team of the year: Graeme College 1st XI Cricket Team, EC Table Tennis Team, Warriors Cricket Team
Federation of the year: EC Table Tennis, EC Transplant Sports, EC Weightlifting Newcomer of the year: Luxolo Adams (athletics), Anele Ntombana (softball), Travis Saunders (triathlon) Sportswoman of the year - golden
age: Deliwe Mhlobo (athletics), Heilie Uys (transplant sports), Retha van der Merwe (brisk walk) Sportsman of the year - golden age: Sydney Meyer, Alson Nzama, Robert Xavier. Sportswoman of year for persons with disability: Sinesipho Mahlatshana (athletics), Rentia Oosthuizen (athletics, swimming), Mbasa Qilingile (powerlifting) Sportsman of the year for persons with a disability: Sadah Felix (athletics), Ndyebo Lamani (judo), Jaco Smit (athletics)
This year’s theme is ‘Be the legacy’, marking the partaking of women in sport