Reneshan in running as KZN’s top sports star

The sports awards were created by KZN Sport and Recreation with the KZN Sport Confederation, in a bid to reward local sports stars for their efforts in keeping the passion of sport alive through their efforts in local and international sports events.

The grade 12 pupil is the youngest nominee, going up against Hashim Amla for cricket, Bridgette Hartley for canoeing, Chad Le Clos for swimming, Bongiwe Msomi for netball and Michelle Weber for swimming. He is also nominated alongside Hashim and Chad as sportsman of the year.

“When we heard about the nomination, we were overjoyed. It is unbelievable. Every time I think this is it, he somehow achieves more. We are so proud of him,” said Reneshan’s mother, Nisha.

The winner is decided by the public through a voting system. The sports star is someone who has excelled the most in their respective sporting code or discipline both on and off the field from 1 April, 2009 to 31 December, 2012.

Reneshan’s illustrious badminton career includes his awarding of South African colours; being the top ranked player and captain of his school first team; retaining the Africa Cup of Nations crown for three years in-a-row; and captaining the winning KZN U17 team at the inter-provincial championships at the age of 15.

He represented SA at the Commonwealth Youth Games on the Isle of Man in 2011; captained the KZN U19 team at the SA Championships in July, 2011, where he and his doubles partner won the title and is ranked third in the SA U19 group.

He was voted the KZN Badminton Association top achiever of the year in both the U17 and U19 age groups; and KZN Sports Person of the year in 2011. He represented his country at the World Junior Championships in Japan in October, 2012 and represented the country again at the All Africa Badminton Cup of Nations Tournament in Algeria in April, 2013 where SA won gold and he won bronze in the singles tournament.

This year, at the SA U19 Championships in July, he was the first triple champion in more than 20 years.

All this while maintaining an aggregate of over 85% at school since grade eight and being named as the school’s Dux recipient this year and training to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games.

Reneshan will hear his fate at the KZN Sports Awards ceremony on Friday, 4 October at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. “Just being nominated alongside sportsmen of this calibre has made me a winner already,” said Reneshan.

To help the young Bluffite towards victory, vote via the KZN Sports Awards website www.kznsportawards.co.za/ (select sports star or sportsman of the year) or send an SMS with his name, ‘Reneshan Naidoo’ to 33103. (SMSs cost R1.50.) Voting closes on Tuesday, October 1.

– erinh@dbn.caxton.co.za