Final call for Gauteng Sport Awards nominations

The call goes out specifically to the numerous sports federations in South Africa, which dedicate endless hours to sourcing, developing and nurturing the immense sporting talent the country produces. With the closing date for nominations set at Friday, 4 April, it is of particular importance that nominations are made this week.

Nominations close on 4 April 2014 at 16H00.

This year the award categories bring the same excitement as last year's awards, with the wildly popular "Fan of the Year" making its return. Most sports fanatics will be pleased to know that they can vote for their favourite sport idols to take the coveted Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year title. Last year saw Cameron van der Burgh and Caster Semenya crowned in the respective categories. The Awards also aims to honour the importance of the media in growing sports in Gauteng so nominations for "Sport Journalist of the Year" are expected to come streaming in. Other categories include Sport Personality of the Year, Disabled Sportsman and Woman of the Year, Coach of the Year and a special Lifetime Achievement Award.

The 2014 edition of the Gauteng Sports Awards is geared towards recognising the ways in which sport has boosted social cohesion in democratic South Africa and hence, the recipients of the awards this year will be honoured for their contribution, not only to sporting excellence locally and abroad, but also to nation building. This celebration appropriately coincides with the celebration of 20 years of democracy.

Speaking at the launch of the awards this month, Sports and Recreation MEC Lebogang Maile said that Gauteng has played a major role in encouraging patriotism through sport.

"Gauteng has hosted a number of important global sporting and cultural events which have helped to boost social cohesion and unity in this country. We therefore urge the people of Gauteng to join us in this year's Awards to celebrate that contribution and recognise their sporting heroes," she said.

It is hoped that this year will see a new record for nominations, surpassing the 190 nominations made last year. The nomination process has been streamlined to allow quick and easy online submission via the Gauteng Sports Awards website.

Ambassadors for the Awards include personalities and sportsmen such as TV & radio personality Kwena Moabelo, actress Hlubi Mboya, young golfers Raylyn Anthony and Caleb George, radio personality William Lehong, footballer Lehlohonolo Majoro and TV personality Boitumelo Thuso, sports anchor Mpho Maboi and Mandla Mdakane.

Gauteng has produced some of the best sporting talent the country has to offer so it is only fitting that they are recognised for their immeasurable efforts, on and off the field, to make South Africa great.

For more, go to www.gautengsportawards.co.za or contact Nino Zama on +27 (0)83 473 6725 / az.vog.gnetuag@amaz.onin