A host of star athletes who showed resilience during the tough times brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic have received recognition for their perseverance.
The University of the Free State (UFS) honoured these stars at a special KovsieSport awards function on 17 May.
Those honoured are the netball players Khanyisa Chawane (Proteas), Bianca de Wee (South Africa U21), Sne Mdletshe (South Africa U21; Proteas), Refiloe Nketsa (Proteas), Lefébre Rademan (Proteas), Rolene Streutker (South Africa U21), Chanel Vrey (South Africa U21) and badminton player Robert Summers (South African team).
Others include Louzanne Coetzee and her guides Claus Kempen and Estean Badenhorst, who received a special award for their achievements at the 2021 Paralympic Games.
“Many things might have gone unseen in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and therefore it is even more important to honour sports stars who showed true resilience during tough times,” said Coetzee, who was the guest speaker at the function.
Coetzee, who won a silver and bronze medal at the games in 2021, encouraged athletes of the UFS to keep on inspiring others.
The UFS honoured eight stars at the function, with the theme “Honouring the brave, who managed to still take part on an international level from 2019 to 2021”.
“The fact that our athletes and KovsieSport managed to be resilient, and still have achievements to celebrate, is really great. The fact that we celebrate them is important.”
DB Prinsloo, former director of KovsieSport, is proud of the UFS students, their coaches and sports managers.
“To host such a function, you need achievements,” said Prinsloo.
“The athletes honoured are people who had to practise during lockdown in some way or another.
“We had to be innovative and decide what we were going to do and how we were going to do it. They even made WhatsApp videos to practise at home.”
Chawane admitted lockdown had been tough, but said sports people had to keep pushing.
“Yes, it was a difficult time in terms of training and those things, but at the same time for me it was a positive to replan, see where I am and where I wanted to be – and work towards that.
“Creating those small goals during lockdown helped to keep me where I am at.”
