SPORTS AND RECREATION OFFICE HOST AWARDS DINNER

Atlegang Dube

 

The annual Sports Awards Dine recently returned on the first day back from the September recess where all the house committee (HC) and Student Academic Chapter (SAC) representatives, the portfolio and sub-committee members for the ‘Sports and Recreation’ (SR) office met at Crista Galli for a fancy night of opulent fashion, prize-giving, and fine dining.

 

Wapad honoured their invitation to the exclusive event in the capacity of their role (undisclosed) in the SR office for the term 2023/24 and has shared crucial intel of the proceedings of the night. On the Monday evening, 30 September, the reception doors opened at 17h30 with shots and appetisers decorated in the entry way. By the doors, was a large reader board on a stand with the formal guest list and table seating arrangements.

 

By 18h00 all the attendants had found their seats, and the event commenced with welcoming remarks by organiser and SR treasurer, Angelina Mgwebi, a 3rd year in education, followed by a few words and an opening prayer by chairperson Gunder Regan Williamson, a honours student and IT graduate.

 

The awards ceremony then commenced with the “Faculties” category, where the SAC members for all the competing faculties in attendance were awarded their respective prizes beginning with 3rd, then 2nd and the coveted 1st place within each sporting code (soccer, touchies, chess, etc).

 

The same format was consistent for the “HCs”, “portfolio committee” (PC), and informal award categories which followed the Faculty accolades. Once all the prizes were awarded and the crowd finished with cheers, dinner — which for many was the only award for the night — was (self) served with the drinks bar positioned at the far end of the plating area.

 

One of the highlights of the ceremony includes the faculty of Engineering having the most podium finishes of all the faculties. If faculties were awarded the Sports Trophy, the most coveted trophy awarded for overall dominance across all sporting codes, it is unanimous that the faculty would win it.

 

SAC member, Tumisang Monnaemang, reflected on his successful campaign by saying, “I had made a promise during my campaign to take our faculty’s sports performance to the next level, and I’m proud that we fulfilled that. It wasn’t easy — it took many sleepless nights, balancing academics while tirelessly working to secure kits and equipment to help our players perform at their best. On a personal note, something that might surprise people is that I prayed before and during games. I believe that while we do our best, Jesus is in control, and that helped guide me through.”

 

When questioned on his thoughts of the cliché views that the rest of the North-West University (NWU), Potchefstroom campus has about the students in his faculty regarding the underdog nature of their incredible Sports Trophy triumph for the year 2023/24, he said, “There’s often this perception that engineers are too focused on academics to excel in other areas, but we proved we can compete and succeed on multiple levels. I remember playing against teams where people said things like, ‘I thought engineers were too busy studying’ or ‘There’s no way we’d lose to engineering.’ I welcomed those words as a challenge. When engineers are given a fair shot, we always give our best. What’s even more impressive is that for some of our players, it was their first time playing certain sports, yet their dedication and passion was outstanding.”

 

Another highlight, which may come as no surprise, was “The House On Campus” — Patria Men’s Residence — (defending) the Sports Trophy (males). Bellatrix Sports HC member, Elri Corbett, reflects on her Sports Trophy (females) win saying, “Winning the sport trophy was an immense honour, just seeing all of our hard work paying off and experiencing God’s abundant grace throughout the year! For our Day House winning this trophy back-to-back means the world, all of our ladies walk the extra mile for Bellatrix and in the end it feels good to see that their hard work and commitment paid off! BLOUES WENNERS!”

 

SR vice-chairperson (external), Caley Ellish, was awarded ‘PC Member of the Year’ and expressed her excitement saying, “I can hardly put into words the feeling I experienced when I was named PC Member of the Year. Turning around to see everyone standing and cheering for me was an overwhelming reminder of the incredible support we share. It was a night filled with pride, joy, and a deep sense of belonging.”

 

Other notable highlights consisted of the HC Member of the Year, awarded to Emile Geyser of Veritas, and Sub-committee Member of Year, Nazreen Dollie. This has been the inside-scoop of this year’s Sports Awards Dine. How has dine season been treating you?

 

Edited by Mhlengi Khumalo