SPORT
Sport Awards
as they happened
Mangaliso Maduna
The Vaal Campus (NWU Vaal) held its annual Sport
Awards on 14 March 2014. The overall event was a
great success although it got delayed due to last-minute
venue change. Achieving the next level was the theme
of the day. Among the dignitaries in attendance was
VaalWeekblad Sports Editor Ettienne van Rensburg.
Most people usually have the wrong perception about
awards (in particular sport). They are not necessarily
aimed at honouring and highlighting sporting achievements but are also designed with the intention of restoring passion amongst individuals as sport plays a pivotal
role in nation-building and national unity.
The event got to a flying start with words of inspiration
and mixed metaphors from the campus Manager of the
Sports Department, Sean McCallaghan. In his opening speech he first and fore-mostly welcomed everyone
present despite their busy schedules. While addressing
the audience he declared that 2013 had been a great
sporting year for NWU Vaal. He also gave a special
mention to both male soccer and bodybuilding teams for
their heroic displays at the USSA Championships. The
bodybuilding team came second at the championships
and despite crashing out in the group stages the male
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soccer team is now ranked as the 16th best University
team in the country. One of the notable omissions is the
sport man of the year award, as the Sports Department
felt that there were no ideal male candidates who did
enough to impress in the last campaign.
His speech was later followed by the presentation of
certificates to all athletes who had represented the university with pride as per their different sporting codes.
However the eagerly awaited accolades were none
other than the special prizes because the recipients of
this award are those individuals who have shown exceptional achievement in their respective sport. Their work
ethics has been phenomenal throughout the year and
have earned the respect of those around them.
Here is the full list of special prizes awards
Chess player of the year:
Kgotso Ratlhogo
Bodybuilder of the year:
lzaan Botha
USSA Rugby player of the year: K. Holtz