Futballing Girls honours excellence in Tshwane

Estimated reading time: 8 minute(s)

Photo: supplied/Rorisang Matea

Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum was abuzz on Sunday afternoon as sport administrators, journalists and athletes gathered for the prestigious Tshwane leg of the Gauteng Women In Sport Awards. These awards officially launched in Ekurhuleni in 2018 by Moonira Ramathula the Chairperson of Futballing Girls a non-profit organisation that champions the development of grassroots sport for a girl child. The awards are held annually across all the five regions in Gauteng.

A total of twelve accolades were awarded to finalist in different categories from volunteers, athletes and members of the media. The first recipient of award was Busisiwe Sijora a Sports Officer at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University who walked away with the Administrator of the year gong for her stellar work at University sport and in other areas of work where she is called upon to assist. The 32-year old who retained the same award she bagged last year, credited her dedication and zeal in what she does.

“It’s all the hardwork, also one of the things that I always do or tell people, I’ve got an action whereby, every month I do my action plan to see how far I’ve pushed and check what is also needed to be done. I’ve got a to-do list and when people go home to rest after a long day of work, (mina) when I get home I still continue to work, so it’s a lot of sacrifices and passion,” added the Cape Town-born.

The event organiser Moonira was elated on how things unfolded. “I think it did go quite well, it was well attended, I think it was also one of the toughest when it came to the sport women of the year and school sport athlete, but I think also you know with Simone, it’s always a given considering her work and what she puts in and her recent achievements have been amazing,” cited Ramathula.

The 18-year old para-athlete (Simone Kruger) walked away with the Sportswoman of the year, after setting a new world record for F38 discus event with a throw of 38.1m to snatch the gold medal at the World Para Athletics Championships in Paris.

Winners from Westrand, Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg, Tshwane and Sedibeng will automatically become finalists at the provincial showcase, which will take place in the first quarter of 2024.

Full list of winners:

Volunteer of the Year – Beatrice Themane

Sportswoman of the Year – Simone Kruger

Sportswomen of the Year – Banele Shabangu and Shane van der Walt

School Sports Athlete of the Year – Tumi Ramokgopa and Chloe brews

Administrator of the Year – Busisiwe Sijora

Coach of the Year – Simphiwe Dludlu

Sponsor of the Year – Khabo Zitha

Technical Official of the Year – Mpho Makhoba

Team of the Year – Tshwane University of Technology Ladies 400m relay team.

Sports Journalist of the Year – Realeboga Malatji

Sports Radio Presenter of the Year – Rorisang Matea

Project of the Year – Hammanskraal Tennis Club.