Wheelchair Tennis South Africa’s Kgothatso ‘KG’ Montjane and Lucas Sithole were named finalists in the Sportswoman with a disability category and Sportsman with a disability respectively at Wanderers Bidvest Stadium on Tuesday at the Gauteng Sport awards 2015 finalists’ announcement party. The quad ace Sithole was also named a finalist for the Sports personality of the year.
Announced by the Province’s MEC of Sports, arts, culture and recreation, Ms Bopape, this year saw a substantial increase in the nominations which indicates that the Gauteng Sports Awards have over the years earned themselves the reputation of being one of the greatest sporting events hosted in the province.
Sithole, who secured the British Open quads singles title in Nottingham, Great Britain in July and returned to no.3 in the world rankings won the sportsman with a disability award last year and could claim awards in two categories this year. “It is such an honour to be nominated once again for this year’s Gauteng Sports Awards and I am hoping to get two awards in Mogale City next month”.
The country’s top women ranked player Montjane was named the Sportswoman with a disability in 2014 and this year she has been nominated along with Masego Goodness Mokhine (Wheelchair Basketball) and Bonita Blankenberg (Motor Rally). The 28-year-old clinched a doubles title in France last week and is currently in Italy for the Sardinia Open, an ITF level 1 event part of the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis tour. “I am really excited and would like to thank the MEC for Gauteng Sport, Arts, Culture and recreation for honoring athletes who work tirelessly to represent the province nationally and internationally”, said Montjane.
Wheelchair Tennis South Africa General Manager, Karen Losch congratulated Montjane and Sithole. “Through the support of our valued sponsor Airports Company South Africa, we are able to celebrate the achievements of our athletes, who take pride in representing Gauteng and have achieved on a national and international stage,” she said.
“We congratulate both our stars on their successes”, Losch added.
The winners will be announced at Silver Star Casino in Mogale
ONE FOR MONTJANE, DOUBLE NOMINATION FOR SITHOLE AT GAUTENG SPORTS AWARDS LAUNCH
BENONI, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 08: Lucas Sithole, the second seed of South Africa in action against Ymanitu Silva (BRA) in the first round of the quads singles during day 1 of the Airports Company South Africa Gauteng Open at the Gauteng East Tennis Complex on April 08, 2015 in Benoni South Africa. (Photo by Reg Caldecott/Gallo Images)
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