Central Gauteng Athletics awards sportsmen and women
Colleen McNally, the CGA road running commission chairperson who recently passed, was also honoured with the prestigious lifetime achievement award.
Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) hosted its annual Gala Awards at the Sandton Convention Centre on November 30.
Athletes from across Gauteng received recognition for their achievements on the field.
Winning big was Akani Simbine, who walked away with two awards – the presidential lifetime achievement and the senior men athlete of the year awards.
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Colleen McNally, the CGA road running commission chairperson who recently passed, was also honoured with the prestigious lifetime achievement award.
In the senior men category, Simbine competed with Ryan Mphahlele from Thembisa.
Ascending the stage to receive his award, Simbine thanked his coach, Werner Prinsloo, who took the coach of the year award.
Simbine said, “Behind me is my coach, who took me from a 16-year-old boy to the Olympic Games stages. Thank you for always believing in me.”
He added that sponsors are vital to enable talent to represent SA on the biggest stages.
Cacisile Sosibo won female athlete of the year, and Lerato Moromodi from Rieger Park was a nominee for the most promising junior female athlete of the year.
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Ryan Mphahlele from Tembisa Athletics, Cheswill Johnson, Cian Oldknow, and Simbine were awarded for international participation.
CGA general manager Mandla Radebe said the passing of McNally saddened the athletics family.
“Colleen also served on the ASA Road Running Commission as an additional member. She served the province with excellence, integrity, commitment and dedication.
Colleen was a hard worker, passionate and always willing to go the extra mile to serve the athletes.
“She was instrumental in road running and across all athletics disciplines. Colleen served athletics for many years with distinction and integrity.
“She will be remembered for her passion and love for athletics, her sincerity, warmth and humanity whenever she interacted with members of the athletics family.
“On behalf of the CGA management and the athletics family, we convey our condolences to the McNally family, friends, the CGA road running commission and Randburg Harriers Athletics Club members. She will be dearly missed,” said Radebe.
