Gauteng sports stars shine at Teatro
MONTECASINO - The Gauteng Sports Awards ceremony at the Teatro on 11 July celebrated current sports legends against the backdrop of 20 years' sporting history.
The glittering affair, which was broadcast live on Supersport, recognised the best of Gauteng’s athletic talent as well as the administrators working behind the scenes, journalists and even the fans who boost the buzz around local sporting heroes.
Wheelchair Tennis South Africa scooped an impressive three awards for Coach of the Year (Holger Losch), Disabled Sportswoman of the Year (Kgothatso Ontjane) and Disabled Sportsman of the Year (Lucas Sithole).
Hockey fans will be thrilled by the recognition given to veteran Pietie Coetzee of Wits University and Clinton Panther of the University of Johannesburg, who were awarded Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year respectively. Tuks Cricket walked away with the Sports Team of the Year award.
The ceremony reflected an investment in South African sport’s bright future, with the recognition of gymnast Kirsten Beckett as Most Promising Athlete. At the same time, however, 20 years of sporting triumph was celebrated in the awarding of a lifetime achievement award to Lucas Radebe, acknowledging his promotion and nurturing of South African sport both on and off the field.
In the ceremony’s crowning moment, Teko Modise walked away with the title of Sports Personality of the Year, and a diamond-encrusted trophy.
Echoing the spirit in which Madiba famously donned the Springbok rugby jersey 19 years ago, the Gauteng Sports Awards reflected the diversity and unity that sport can bring to the new South Africa.
