Spar women’s grand prix awards function
ILLOVO - The Spar Grand Prix Women's Race awards function was held on 11 November at the Wanderers Club in Illovo.
The awards event was culminated from this years’ five women’s races held in different locations all over the country.
Programme director Bruce Davidson opened the function by expressing his gratitude to Spar, whose sponsorship makes the grand prix challenge possible,
Spar’s marketing director Mike Prentice said, “The event this year was a great success. By looking at the number of participants in the races, we note that it is the top event for athletes in the sport, [with the overall aim] of the race to raise awareness for women in the sport.”
Athletics South Africa’s new president Aleck Skhosana praised the good work of the organisers and encouraged its continuance, noting that exposure to the race forms an integral part of development for promising athletics which will assist them in their participation at international level.
Deputy minister of sports and recreation Gert Oosthuizen delayed his flight to Cape Town in order to offer winners and the media more photo opportunities.
Oosthuizen placed emphasis that government was fully behind this initiative and noted his thanks to the sponsors, citing the impressive number of 100 000 plus participants the races draw each year.
The grand prix ultimately supports talent in athletics, something government cannot do alone, “working together we can do more” he said.
The ceremony honoured the winners that were present, with the overall first place prize being awarded to Diane-Lebo Phalula with a total of 110 race points.
The grand prize also included a brand new Nissa Micra.
Phalula in her award speech humorously invited the audience to get a lift with her in the new car, “I will drive it with pride and dignity, and I will never be a pedestrian again!” she said.
Phalula thanked her coach and demonstrated her competitive spirit by asserting that she would not let her twin sister Lebogang Phalula win, who ranked fourth overall, during the course of the competition.
The top five winners of the open category, in ascending order are Irvette van Zyl, Lebogang Phalula, Mapaseka Makhanya, Rene Kalmer and Diane-Lebo Phalula.
Details:www.sparwomensrace.co.za
