The South African Sports Awards honour men and women across the nation for the sterling work and contribution they have made towards the up-liftment of sports in the country.
Khune has been nominated in two categories – the Sports Star of the Year and Sportsman of the Year.
The announcement was made on Wednesday morning (16 October 2013) at the Gallagher Estates in Midrand, Johannesburg at a function attended by the Minister of Sport and Recreation SA, the Honourable Fikile Mbalula as well as the who’s who of football.
In the Sportsman of the Year Award category, Khune will have to fight off the challenge of SA Cricket Star, Ashim Amla and South African Swimmer Cameron Van de Burgh.
Khune and Amla will again come head to head in the Sport Star of the Year Award (which is voted for by the public), alongside SA Swimmer Chad Le Clos, Paralympian and Wheelchair tennis Champ Lucas Sithole and middle distance athlete Mapaseka Makhanya.
The winner here will walk away with one million rand – with half of it going to a sports charity of his/her choice, as well as a new car.
“Just being a nominee is a big win in itself, it just shows I am doing something right and give me the motivation to work even harder. I am very delighted to have made it among the top and I would like to thanks the Minister of Sport and al those working with him for this noble iniative. There is no better honour than being appreciated in your own country. I also want to wish the best to everyone who has been nominated, and as for those in my categories I believe whoever wins will be very deserving as they are also strong in their own sporting disciplines,” said Khune.
Fran Hilton-Smith, Acting Technical Director of the South African Football Association (SAFA), has been nominated in the category of Sports Administrator of the Year.
She will battle it out against South African Rugby Union (SARU) Chief Executive, Jurie Roux and Netball South Africa President, Mimi Mthethwa.
“I am truly humbled and have welcomed the nomination after years of hard work in administration. My contribution towards the development of women’s football over the years has enabled women’s football to grow and be where it is today.
Now in my role as the Technical Director, I want to see the same growth in the Men’s teams, with the junior teams qualifying for the World Cup,” said Hilton-Smith, a former Banyana Banyana coach.
“It is good to see women that I have mentored over the years coming through the ranks to be coaches and administrators. It would even be greater to see many women venture into the field of Sports Administration and occupy top seats such as the three women we have in our SAFA National Executive Committee (Nomsa Mahlangu, Ria Ledwaba and Natasha Tschiclas).”
Each nominee will receive R15000.
The winners will be announced next month at Sun City.
