Trio receives awards for sport contributions
The Mpumalanga Sports Awards recognises and honours individuals and teams that have excelled both on and off the field
Three local sporting legends were among the legends who received awards during the Mpumalanga Sports Awards.
The awards ceremony took place in Mbombela.
The Mpumalanga Sports Awards recognises and honours individuals and teams that have excelled both on and off the field.
Thandi Hlophe, Paul ‘Sika’ Tshehla and Lawrence Ngubeni were acknowledged for their outstanding contributions to boxing.
Hlophe is a boxing referee and a judge, Tshehla is a well-known boxing trainer, coach, promoter and developer while Ngubeni is a former national and international boxing champion.
Tshehla said they felt honoured after their effort in sports was being recognised and it gives courage to do more.
He says he has travelled the world promoting boxing he loved so much. He is the only person in the whole province with the Ayeba star; recognition of his role in boxing.
He has produced boxing champions and is presently busy with boxing development.
Hlophe said for the provincial government to recognise her, shows that even women have a role to play in sports.
She was greatly influenced by Ishmael Kuali and attended boxing tournaments featuring the likes of Bay Jake, Tiger Floor, Jack Methuli, Paul Tshehla and others.
She said she started having an interest in sports and travelled all over the country to officiate in boxing events.
She said due to the Covid-19 global pandemic and impact on life in general, sporting events were not spared.
The accompanying regulations and restrictions, most sporting codes did not perform in the previous year and that affected them as sportspeople.
Ngubeni felt honoured and was humbled by the award and is busy training young boxers.
Mpumalanga Culture, Sport and Recreation MEC Thandi Shongwe, says: “The department is excited about the Mpumalanga Sports Awards as they are aimed at honouring and celebrating local individuals and teams who put the province on the sporting map. The department is delighted to have Nedbank as the sponsor of the awards. We trust our partnership with banking giant Nedbank will inspire Mpumalanga athletes to play sport.”
In addition to recognising athletes, the awards also provide a platform to recognise women who, against all odds, are involved in developing and nurturing women’s sports in the province.
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