Date: 16/04/2003
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Van Schalkwyk: Announcing Western Cape sports stars of the year


EXTRACT FROM REMARKS BY THE WESTERN CAPE PREMIER, MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, ANNOUNCING THE ANNUAL AWARDS TO THE SPORTS STARS OF THE WESTERN CAPE, Leeuwenhof, 16 April 2003

2002 was an outstanding year for the sportsmen and sportswomen of South Africa. For those athletes who have made the Western Cape their home, this was even more true. It was a year which saw our athletes shatter not only world records, but also the boundaries between the achievements of able-bodied and disabled athletes, and between junior and senior competitors. It was a year in which the level of individual achievement was lifted so regularly that making a choice for the most deserving Sports Stars of the Year was never going to be an easy task.

The Western Cape Government is proud to be associated with the annual Western Cape Sport's Writers Association Awards. Our Government understands the importance of giving proper recognition to the exceptional performances of our sporting stars - and the critical position which they fill as heroes and positive role models for the youth of our province and our country.

Our 2002 nominees are more than just inspirational figures for our youth - they are also the best ambassadors of our province and South Africa. Their performances have united black, white, coloured and Indian communities in support. They are truly bridge builders between our different communities. Amongst the many phenomenal achievements of this year's nominees are:

- The 100m disabled freestyle performance of Scott Field at the Commonwealth Games, which shattered a 16-year old world record by .66 of a second;
- The maiden test century and double century scored by cricketer Graeme Smith in the match against Bangladesh at Buffalo Park;
- Malcolm Pringle's 800m gold medal and new world record at the disabled athletics World Championship;
- Matthew Berry's capturing of the SA under-18 tennis title;
- The pole-vault gold medal performance by Okkert Brits at the Commonwealth Games; and
- Phillip Rabinowitz who completed a 10km-walk at the age of 98.

Over the past two decades, the Western Cape Sports Writers Association has consistently met its goal of recognising and rewarding excellence - and this year has been no exception. It is my great honour to announce the winners of the Sports Stars of the Year awards:

Men: Ernie Els - who won six individual titles last year and in July won his 3rd major golf tournament (the British Open)
Women: Natalie du Toit - whose outstanding performance at the Commonwealth Games won her global acclaim and the title Outstanding Athlete of the Games;
Junior Men: Werner Smit - who won gold in the hammer throw at the World Junior Athletics Championships in Jamaica;
Junior Women: Annelie van Wyk - who captured the SA Senior Women's pole-vault title;
Disabled Men: Ernst van Dyk - who won the Los Angeles disabled marathon and the Boston Wheelchair Marathon;
Disabled Women: Natalie du Toit - who won 2 gold medals in the multi-disability swimming events at the Commonwealth Games.

Our sincere congratulations go to each and every nominee and especially to the 5 winners. I also want to thank the members of the Association for their invaluable contribution in acknowledging the excellence of our athletes.

Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp, Cell: 083-778-9923
Issued by the Office of the Premier, Western Cape Provincial Government