Sportsmen and -women who did the province proud were honoured by Premier Sello Moloto during a glittering ceremony which was held in Polokwane last Saturday.

Orlando Pirates’ coach, Mr Owen da Gama, softball administrator Polelo Masola, Gizani Khosa, Joe Machaba and the president of the SAFA Vhembe Regional Association, Mr Kirsten Nematandani, were all honoured for their excellence as coaches and managers.

Da Gama guided the Limpopo-based Dynamos and Platinum Stars before moving to Orlando Pirates this season.

Joseph Makaringe and Cassius Baloyi were honoured for doing the province proud in the boxing category. In athletics, Abraham Matloga and Jane Rasakanya received the awards. The two recently represented the country at the world cross-country championships for the intellectually impaired in Poland.

Two basketball players, Peter Nosega and Sophie Ngobeni, were also awarded, while Ramahlwa Mphahlele and Lindelani Mudau received awards in the football category.

Four stars of the national softball team, Simunye, Vasna Molaba, Nakedi Mohlake, Nakedi Raphalo and Thabang Letsoalo, were also among the recipients. Natasha Defos, who performed well in the swimming pool, and the wheelchair tennis national champion, Patrick Selepe, were also honoured.

Cecilia Molokwane was the recipient of the netball award and posthumous awards went to Timothy Mayama, Paledi Mothapo, Eric Baloyi and Phineas Maluleke.

"We wish to congratulate all those who have received the awards," reads an extract from Moloto’s speech.