Lim’s top sportsmen and woman honoured
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture together with Vodacom honoured Limpopo's sport achievers during a congratulatory breakfast at Fusion Boutique Hotel recently.
POLOKWANE – The gathering attracted national athletes such as the 2012 Comrades Marathon winner, Ludwick Mamabolo, who was honoured for his achievements alongside Rufus Photo and Charles Tjiane. These three athletes made the province proud after finishing in the top 10 during the 2016 Comrades Marathon. Mamabolo finished second while Photo finished fifth and Tjiane secured ninth place.
Mamabolo said it is not easy to prepare for the Comrades Marathon and urged everyone in Limpopo to support the local athletes.
“We always brag about our province when we participate in famous marathons but we need financial assistance to continue flying our flag high. Government entities should be willing to assist us when we need support,” said Mamabolo.
Baroka FC was recognised for progressing to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) after being crowned the National First Division (NFD) champions. They were also honoured for making it to the Nedbank Cup semifinals. Polokwane City FC was honoured for securing a spot in the PSL.
The Limpopo Softball team were honoured for wining gold at the National Softball Championship that took place at the Polokwane Cricket Club in March.
A local sailor, Boitumelo Charlotte Maila (23), was the only woman who was honoured at the event. Maila participated in the Clipper Around the World Race Leg Six, crossing the Pacific Ocean from China to San Francisco and spent a month at sea battling tough conditions.
The MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Nandi Ndalane, congratulated everyone and thanked them for making the province proud. She told Mamabolo that the department’s doors are always open to him.
“Athletes should not hesitate to approach the department when they need financial assistance. We will share the little we have with them. Our department is very small but we run a lot of projects. Baroka FC Owner, Khurishi Mphahlele, said the team is ready to compete in the PSL. He said they will host a celebration party on 24 June at Ngwana Mohube to celebrate the team’s success. Ndalane thanked Vodacom for partnering with the department to make the Limpopo sport achievers breakfast meeting a resounding success.
