Capital City dominates Gauteng Sport Awards
“It was about time Hlompho Kekana won an award after missing out on various accolades he has been nominated for in the past three years.”
The Capital City continues to demonstrate it is the City of Champions.
The city bagged three prestigious accolades at the 2017 Gauteng Sport Awards with Premiership club and African champions Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday night.
Mamelodi Sundowns star player Hlompho Kekana was crowned Sport Personality of the Year, while his coach Pitso Mosimane was named Coach of the Year.
To cap a great night, the Brazilians as Sundowns are known, bagged the hotly contested Team of the Year award.
Lawrence Brittian of TUKS Rowing team was awarded Sportman of the Year award while David “Mdevas” Mokubela, of Mamelodi, won Sport Fan of the Year as voted for by the public.
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Mdevas, one of South Africa’s most recognisable soccer fans, and passionate Kaizer Chiefs fanatic, expressed his delight at the win.
“I am so happy to win the Sports Fan of the Year category. I want to thank everyone who voted for me, all the soccer loving people, and my family for all the support they continue to give me and for allowing me to go out to watch the beautiful game,” he said.
He said the award would be a big motivation for him to continue the work he was doing in the community, where he visited schools encouraging young people to do sport not crime.
“I think the award will motivate others also to believe that if Mdevas could win it, they too can,” he said.
“From the bottom of my heart, I really want to thank the people who nominated me for this award. It really has made me so very happy that I feel like I am on top of the world at the moment.”
Mdevas can be seen always in the front row at the stadium when his belong Amakhosi play.
“My life is dedicated to the beautiful game. It is not only about Kaizer Chiefs, I support the game. I am also involved in motivational talks where we visit schools to encourage learners to participate in sports,” he said.
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Mamelodi Sundowns were rewarded after they won the CAF Champions League in October last year to become the second South African club to win the continental club football’s highest accolade after Orlando Pirates achieved the feat in 1995.
Mosimane said they were humbled by all the recognition “and we will remain humbled”.
“But we should also celebrate being acknowledged for the performance that we have given, especially in the league, Champions League and the CAF Super Cup representing the country,” said the reigning Africa Coach of the Year.
“For me the most important award is Team of the Year because it represents all, even those who were not nominated for these awards. It included everybody.
“I believe Hlompho deserved his award after being nominated for so many awards in the last three years, including the last Fifa Puskas Award, without winning any. I think this is about time. As the saying goes – good things come to those who wait,” said Mosimane.
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