Zweli Dlamini crowned Sports Star of the Year
01 April 2019
Zweli Dlamini amassed over 400 000 votes on his way to being crowned Sports Star of the Year at the Eswatini National Sports Awards on Saturday night (30 March 2019).
The second edition of the awards was held at Esibayeni Lodge Esangweni Hall and was graced by the Honourable Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Harries Bulunga. The awards covered sporting excellence between the period of April 2017 and December 2018.
A total of 17 awards were handed out on the night with Dlamini emerging as the big winner, taking home the coveted prize which was won by Mbabane Swallows captain Tony Tsabedze during the first edition of the awards in 2017. Over 800 000 votes were cast with second placed Thandukukhanya Dlamini attaining 355 606 of those.
Making his remarks on the night, the Honourable Minister said the Awards were important in keeping athletes and officials motivated.
“These awards serve as a motivation for athletes and officials to excel next time. In a country yet to achieve full professionalism in sport, national recognition propels athletes and officials to continuously give their best,” he said.
Bulunga then urged sport associations to maintain fairness and transparency in the nomination process.
“My appeal to the various sporting associations is to maintain consistency and professionalism in nominating their best athletes for particular periods. For these Awards to continue getting the respect and recognition they deserve, it is important that we work together in ensuring that all athletes and officials have equal chances of being nominated. Therefore, I urge our different associations to draw up clear and fair guidelines for the nomination process and these should be transparent and communicated to all athletes so that everyone stays on the same page,” the Honourable Minister added.
On top of handing the Sports Star of the Year Award, the Honourable Minister also presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Robert ‘Chicks’ Lukhele while Nonhlanhla Seyama and Sibusiso Matsenjwa took home the Outstanding Sportswoman and Outstanding Sportsman awards respectively.
The ceremony was also attended by legendary ex-footballer William ‘Cool Cat’ Shongwe.
Eswatini National Sports Awards List of winners:
Sports Star of the Year: Zweli Dlamini (Boxing)
Lifetime Achievement Award: Robert Chicks Lukhele (Legendary Boxer)
Outstanding National Sport Association: Eswatini National Basketball Association
Outstanding Sports Leader: Maxwell Jele (Tennis)
Outstanding Sportswoman: Nonhlanhla Seyama
Outstanding Sportsman: Sibusiso ‘SwaziBolt’ Matsenjwa
Special Recognition Awards:
1. SMK Sports Academy
2. The Municipal Council of Mbabane
3. Ksekhaya Cycling
4.Shibobo Academy
Outstanding Sports Journalist- Ashmond Nzima (Times of Swaziland)
Outstanding Sports Administrator: Bhekisisa Mkhonta (Football)
Outstanding Sports Coach: Mbuso Vilakati (Volleyball)
Outstanding Sportswoman with a disability- Nomsa Mkhonta
Outstanding Sportsman with a disability- Thobani Zikalala
Outstanding Junior Sportswoman- Michelle Shen (Judo)
Outstanding Junior Sportsman- Melusi Lukhele (Taekwondo)