The finalists in the running for the 12th edition of the annual Gauteng Sports Awards, have officially been unveiled by the Gauteng MEC of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Ms Morakane Mosupyoe.
The announcement of the finalists for the prestigious 2023 awards took place at the Chief Mogale Hall in the West Rand region of the province.
This year’s sport awards have 20 categories, including the new Sport Photographer of the Year category, and the highly coveted Sport Personality of the Year, which now has a brand-new car incorporated into the grand prize.
Excellence achieved from grassroots to professional level is celebrated across an array of sporting codes and shines a spotlight on the development of women and young athletes in school sport. Stand out highlights such as the all-female finalists in the Coach of the Year and Technical Official of the Year categories, as well as the recognition of the highly decorated Clapham High School U15 Soccer Team, who recently emerged as first ever boys winning team of the inaugural Gauteng Schools Football Champions Wednesday League, showcase the much-deserved recognition of efforts towards the constant elevation of sport in the province.
During the announcement MEC Morakane Mosupyoe said: “This event is a celebration of talent, dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence within the world of sport in Gauteng, the Home of Champions. Each finalist embodies the spirit of resilience, discipline and passion that we only find in our sporting community. These athletes not only excelled in their respective fields, but have also become role models for up-and-coming athletes.”
“As we unveil the finalists, let us remember that behind every achievement lies countless hours of training, sacrifice and commitment to be the best. Whether you win or not, you are all winners in my book,” added MEC Mosupyoe.
The Gauteng Sport Awards are hosted annually to honour, and reward Gauteng’s best sporting talent, paying tribute to individuals, teams and organization who have excelled in sporting activities on and off the field during the considered period of 01 August 2022 to 31 July 2023.
The 2023 Gauteng Sport Awards gala ceremony will take place on in November 2023.
The Finalists for the 2023 Gauteng Sport Awards:
SPORT PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
| Name | Sporting Code | ||
| Kgothatso Montjane | Wheelchair Tennis | ||
| Simone Kruger | Para – Athletics | ||
| Temba Bavuma | Cricket | ||
| Ahmad Mahomed | Kickboxing | ||
SPORTMAN OF THE YEAR
| Name | Sporting Code | ||
| Christina Beyers de Klerk | Archery | ||
| Ahmad Mahomed | Kickboxing | ||
| Jacques Horn | Equestrian |
SPORTWOMAN OF THE YEAR
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Salaamah Mahomed | Kickboxing |
| Zeney van der Walt | Athletics |
| Taylon Bieldt | Athletics |
MOST PROMISING SPORT TEAM OF THE YEAR
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Clapham High School U15 Soccer Team | Gauteng Schools Fooball/SAFA Schools Gauteng |
| Dondol Stars Football Club | Mamelodi Local Football Association |
| Caleigh Anders, Naveen Daries, Shante Koti, Garcelle Napier & Caitlin Rooskrantz | Johannesburg Gymnastics Centre |
SPORTWOMAN OF THE YEAR WITH A DISABILITY
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Kgothatso Monjane | Wheelchair Tennis |
| Simone Kruger | Para Athletics |
| Hlelo Modise | Para Athletics |
SPORTMAN OF THE YEAR WITH A DISABILITY
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Yamkela Lukhanyo Ntlanti | Para – Athletics |
| Daniel Tumiso Molobela | Para – Athletics |
| Buhle Bhidla | Blind Cricket |
SPORT TEAM OF THE YEAR WITH A DISABILITY
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Kwa -Thema Disability Club | Para – Athletics |
| UJ DDS Club | Multi Coded |
| Gauteng Lionesses | Wheelchair Basketball |
COACH OF THE YEAR
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Lindi Du Plessis | Athletics |
| Emily Mathosa | Netball |
| Ilse Roets Pelser | Gymnastics |
TECHNICAL OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Hayley Walker | Figure Skating |
| Bella Mpho Makhoba | Tennis |
| Khensani Charity Molaudzi | Athletics |
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Asanda Isaac Bidla | Asanda Isaac Bidla |
| Stephen Maphike | Darts |
| Anne Waldek Thill | Figure Skating |
MOST PROMISING ATHLETE
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Siyavuya Mgulwa | Equestrian |
| Chane Vermeulen | Athletics |
| Hendre Barend Verhoef | Archery |
| Tumi Ramokgopa | Archery |
SPORT PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
| Name | Organisation | ||
| Sthembiso Sydney Mahlangu | Backpagepix Media | ||
| Christo Elinza | Tandala Photography | ||
| Denga Netshituka | Freelancer | ||
SPORT FAN OF THE YEAR
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Bambanani Brass Brand | Lions Cricket |
| Basetsana Mtsweng | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| Oliver Mphahlele | Langaville Kaizer Chiefs Branch |
SPORT JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
| Name & Surname | Media House |
| Timmy Maranda | Radio 2000 |
| Palesa Manaleng | Eye Witness News (EWN) |
AMAYANGA YANGA ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
| Name & Surname | Sporting Code |
| Winnie Karabo Masemola | Tennis |
| Wandiswa Msimang | Atheltics & Gymnastics |
| Mpho Bowers | Tennis |
COMMUNITY SPORT AND RECREATION PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Footgolf South Africa | Footgolf South Africa (FGSA) |
| Katlego Dean (Faith & Hope Foundation) | Community Events |
| Altus Sport | Multiple Sporting Codes |
FEDERATION OF THE YEAR
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Gauteng Darts Federation | Darts |
| Gauteng Wheelchair Basketball | Basketball |
COMMUNITY SPORTS MEDIA OF THE YEAR
| Name | Media House |
| Stephen Seakgwe | Mapepeza Online |
| Soweto TV | Soweto Community Channel NPC |
| Mahlodi Ranku | Alex FM |
SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Central Gauteng Lions Blind Cricket | Cricket |
| Athletics Gauteng North Senior Track & Field Team | Athletics |
| RSA U23 Coxless Pair (Christopher Baxter & Damien Bonhage – Koen) | Rowing |
The recipient of the Life-Time Achievement Award will be chosen by the MEC and announced at the awards ceremony.
INFO SUPPLIED.
