The 2024 Free State Sports Awards have garnered such significant public interest the nomination deadline has been extended to Sunday (21/7).

“This extension is intended to accommodate additional nominations, ensuring a comprehensive representation of diverse sporting achievements,” said Tankiso Zola, communications manager for the Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation.

This prestigious event honours athletes, administrators, volunteers, and media personnel from the Free State, recognising their excellence in various roles and their efforts at local, national, and international levels.

The Free State Sports Awards celebrate the region’s finest and most inspirational contributions to sports. Picture: Freepix

The awards aim to acknowledge those who have made remarkable contributions both on and off the field. Categories include accolades for individuals, males, females, people with disabilities, continental participants, federations, schools, indigenous games, media, and community sport builders.

The Free State Sports Awards underscore the province’s passionate sporting spirit by honoring those who keep the enthusiasm for sports alive among Free Staters.

To be eligible for nomination, nominees’ performance must have taken place between 1 June 2023 to 31 May 2024:

• Sports Administrator of the Year
• Sportsman of the Year
• Sportsman of the Year with a Disability
• Sportswoman of the Year
• Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability
• Team of the Year
• Newcomer of the Year
• Coach of the Year
• Volunteer of the Year
• Indigenous Games Team of the Year
• Provincial Federation of the Year
• Recreation Body of the Year
• Photographer of the Year
• Sports Journalist of the Year
• Sports Star of the Year
• People’s Choice Sports Star of the Year
• School Team of the Year
• Developing School Team of the Year
• Technical Official of the Year
• MEC’s Excellence Award
• MEC’s Lifetime Achiever Award
• MEC’s Posthumous Award

This is the final call to sport federations, recreation bodies, school sport structures, media houses, and individuals to participate by submitting their nominations for the best-performing sport personnel, particularly in the following categories:

• Sportsman of the Year with a Disability Sports Journalist of the Year
• Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability
• Recreation Body of the Year
• Team of the Year
• School Team of the Year
• Volunteer of the Year
• Developing School Team of the Year
• Indigenous Games Team of the Year
• Technical Official of the Year
• Provincial Federation of the Year
• Photographer of the Year
• MEC’s Lifetime Achiever Award
• MEC’s Posthumous Award

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