Shamila Sulayman, Molefe Talisemo and Zelma Basson have been shortlisted for their dedication towards the growth of women’s sport in their communities, as they contest for the Volunteer of the Year accolade at the 2022 Momentum gsport Awards.
In 2014, Sulayman was nominated and elected to represent her rugby club, Collegians RFC as a delegate at WPRFU’s General Council, which is the Union’s highest decision-making body comprising of under 100 clubs.
She is the first female president of Collegians after 46 years of its existence which is one of the moments that have stood out for her in her career.
Speaking on being a finalist, Sulayman says: “t’s nothing short of an absolute honour and privilege to be a finalist in the 2022 Momentum gsport Volunteer of the Year Awards Category. I’m excited, though mostly humbled, to be a small part of this huge effort to showcase and recognize the valued contributions of women to sport in our respective communities, and the country, at large.”
Being a volunteer plays a major role and you get to elevate women’s sports and for Sulayman it is important because women and girls haven’t received adequate recognition for their various roles in sports from the ground up and talking about elevating women’s sports.
“Historically, and generally, women and girls have not received adequate or optimal recognition for their various roles in sport. This being in spite of their participation at any and every level of sport – from athlete to administrator, coach to executive management, medic to media, and, importantly, fan to first supporter. It’s even been proven that females comprise the majority of supporters at matches of various sporting codes. The dominance of males in most sports has not only marginalized women’s participation, but has also largely kept them from occupying key positions within sports structures such as schools, clubs and federations. Because of the myriad attributes that women and girls have to offer the growth, development and excellence of sport, it is vital for them to be granted opportunities and access that will not only recognize their prowess and acumen, but, which will also ensure their complete and rightful participation in all sports codes, ensuring uncompromised equality and equity.”
Talking about the impact of gsport awards, Sulayman said it inspires all women involved.
“Momentum gsport Awards inspires all women involved in sport to aim higher and work harder at developing and excelling in their respective fields so that women and girls can receive the recognition, opportunities and access that they so rightfully deserve. Importantly, gsport Awards encourages women in sport to support each other in sport, and to pave the way for more women to break glass ceilings until there are no longer any to be broken.”
Talisemo is the only chairwoman of a cricket club that is currently playing in the WPCA Premier League.
She features for a second time in the Volunteer of the Year category and will hope that the votes will be enough for her to walk away with the accolade.
“We feel honoured by the nomination but most of all feel proud to have made it as one of the finalists.”
Molefe spoke about the work they do at Langa Cricket Club, saying: “There are many moments that stand out in the work we do at Langa Cricket Club and the community and if we are asked to pick just a few, we would be at a loss with not knowing where to start, the biggest may perhaps be overcoming challenges with internal club politics that spilled over into our 21/22 cricket season, this was an era that tested one’s personal development and strength from a leadership perceptive including resilience and tenacity to remain firm, dedicated and true to the vision shared by the community and club.
“The most humbling is the re-election into executorship of the cricket in the community for another two seasons and the most wholesome and recent is our celebration of women’s cricket through a series of cricket-based activities: We hosted women’s month cricket activity at Langa Cricket Club with an inaugural Imbokodo Cup on the 9th with participation from Khayelitsha CC & Gugulethu CC with over 39 young cricketing ladies taking up a full game day of cricket, our first Ladies team building hike on the 14th of August which was special in rebuilding a connection with the players.”
And one way to describe gsport is “Massive”… The platform that continues to amplify women’s sports coverage across all borders and it was well said by Molefe.
“One word comes to mind “MASSIVE”: gsport as a women led and women-inspired platform for years has been the most world-class platform in South Africa, driving development news about women in sports. The Momentum gsport Awards amplifies and brings to the forefront ongoing sports development moments for women, the Award is in our opinion, brings forth the power of recognition and helps boost not only the people nominated or awarded but also boosts the communities and youth who aspire to be in sports or to serve in holistic sports development. gsport is at the crown of recognition and this is a valuable part of the social and economic drive for women’s sport.”
Up for her first recognition, Zelma Basson facilitated the first Boccia International Sports Federation Africa Regional Competition in May 2022 that enabled African countries to participate at an international level and be in line to qualify for the 2022 Rio de Janeiro Bisfed World Championships.
For the recognition that will see her name and work being kept a close eye on, Basson said it’s an honour to be a finalist for the first time, saying: “It’s my first nomination for gsport. It’s an honour and privilege to be nominated and be a finalist. Wow! Volunteering for disability sport, empowering disabled women and seeing them reaching different successes is the biggest reward there is.”
Basson believes going forward the Recognition will empower more women for disability sport and to do it with excitement filling their hearts and speaking on the impact of gsport awards, she said it empowers and encourages women from all backgrounds to follow their dreams.
“The impact of this awards is huge! It empowers and encourages women from ALL backgrounds to follow their dreams. I also believe these awards motivates other women to become part of volunteering and serving those who can’t always help themselves.”
“Thank you fit presenting Momentum gsport awards and supporting disabled women in sport,” Basson concluded.
In 2021, cricket coach Sandile Lukhele walked away with the Volunteer of the Year accolade.
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
