BLOEMFONTEIN – The Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (DSACR) rolled out the red carpet for a glittering array of accolade recipients at its annual Sports Awards held in Bloemfontein last Saturday. This ceremony is held in partnership with the Free State Sports Confederation (FSSC).

Free State MEC Ntombizanele Sifuba presented awards to the men and women who excelled across sporting codes for 1 July 2024 to 31 October 2025. She also honoured those who have since passed on with the MEC’s Posthumous award. The deserving recipients were Sensei James Vermaak who passed away on 5 June at the age of 62, and Theophilus Clive Solomon who passed away at the age of 78 in October 2022. Vermaak was a well-known South African martial arts leader and the world director of traditional karate for the International Combat Organisation (ICO). Solomon contributed to social activism but is remembered for his immense contribution to football in the Free State.
Rugby star Erich Visser was the toast at the ceremony, walking away with the sportsman of the year and sports star of the year accolades.

“We must also recognise that behind every athlete is an ecosystem of dedicated coaches, technical officials, volunteers, administrators, parents and communities all play an important role in creating champions,” said Sifuba. In addition, recipients received cash incentive, each.

The award recipients are:

■ Hende-Mari Strydom (sport administrator of the year);

■ Elih Lawrence (aquatics, sportsman of the year with a disability);

■ Nita Scholtz (badminton, sportswoman of the year);

■ Louzanne Coetzee and guides (sportswoman of the year with a disability);

■ Teboho Mokoena (football, MEC’s Excellence award);

■ Mbuti Mollo (athletics, MEC’s Excellence Award);

■ WJ Kruger (modern pentathlon, newcomer of the year);

■ Marco Markgraaff (aquatics, coach of the year);

■ Pule Maile (volunteer of the year);

■ Ernesta Strydom (technical official of the year);

■ Ans Botha (athletics, MEC’s Lifetime Achiever award);

■ Mamosina Sinki Leshabane (football, MEC’s Lifetime Achiever award);

■ Harmonious Kgathi Team (indigenous games team of the year);

■ Free State Modern Pentathlon (provincial federation of the year);

■ BMG Oldies Luncheon Club (recreation body of the year);

■ Ntateleng Primary School (baseball, school team of the year); and

■ Senior Badminton Team (badminton, team of the year).