Sports personalities and legends swept the boards and claimed victory in various categories at the 2017 Gauteng Sports Awards.
The award ceremony which were held at SilverStar Casino last weekend, saw sports personalities such as Hlompho Kekana, Pitso Mosimane and Mogale City resident Mbali Mokoko ascending the podium to collect winners’ trophies.
Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Faith Mazibuko said: “What happened tonight was truly spectacular. I’m proud of how our achievers were honoured and the worthy winners celebrated.
“This is a special project for the department and we wish to see it grow in leaps and bounds. Congratulations to all the winners and to everyone who made tonight such a great success.”
Mamelodi Sundowns swept the boards. The team’s star player Hlompho Kekana was crowned Sport Personality of the Year while head coach Pitso Mosimane scooped the Coach of the Year award. To cap a great night, the PSL outfit picked up the hotly contested Team of the Year award.
18 trophies were handed to deserving winners from different sporting codes. Three Lifetime Achievement recipients were honoured: Peter ‘Terror’ Mathebula, Selinah Metsing and Maurizio Mariano.
Hosted by the charismatic Thomas Mlambo and Vaylen Kirtley, the evening was an explosion of sport and entertainment with musicians setting a celebratory tone.
Complete list of winners
- Sportsman of the Year – Lawrence Brittian – TUKS Rowing
- Sportswoman of the Year – Tanita Ramburuth Hurt – Wits Sport
- Sport Team of the Year – Mamelodi Sundowns – Football
- Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability – Maria Combrink – CGSAPD Athletics
- Sportsman of the Year with a Disability – Evans Maripa – Wheelchair Tennis South Africa
- Sport Team of the Year with a Disability – Disability Sport Athletics Team – Athletics
- Coach of the Year – Pitso Mosimane (Mamelodi Sundowns) – Football
- Technical Official of the Year – Mpho Makhoba (Tennis South Africa) – Tennis
- Administrator of the Year – Gussie Bartlett (Eastern Gauteng Wrestling Association) – Wrestling
- Rand West City Most Promising Athlete of the Year – Sheldon Thomas (UJ Sport for Disability) – Athletics
- Most Promising Team of the Year – Gauteng under 19 Girls Team – Wheelchair Basketball
- Journalist of the Year – Mbali Mokoko – Kaya FM
- School Sport Athlete of the Year – Mary Dzimba – Athletics
- Community Sport and Recreation Programme of the Year – In-Touch Community Support Group – Hockey and Football
- Community Media of the Year – Jozi FM
- Sport Programme of the Year (Public vote) – Sport@10
- Sport Fan of the Year (Public vote) – Mdevas Mokubela
- Sport Personality of the Year (Public vote) – Hlompho Kekana