Seasoned media and PR professional Maphuti Hlako, winner of the 2022 gsport Woman in PR and Sponsorship Award, has officially joined World Athletics in Monte Carlo, Monaco, marking a major milestone in her career.
Hlako shared her news on LinkedIn: “I am thrilled to FINALLY share that I’ve joined World Athletics. All in. Officially official. Here we go!”
“I left home about six months ago for a brand new adventure in Monaco. And wow, what an epic ride it’s been so far. I get to work and do life with some of the most brilliant minds in all of sports.”
World Athletics Appointee, Maphuti Hlako
Her move comes as no surprise to those who’ve followed her journey. In a December 2021 interview with gsport, Hlako spoke openly about her dreams of going global:
“I’d like to work with the Manchester United Communications Team,” she said. “To work at as many sporting events as possible, small or big scale, locally and internationally—that’s my greatest ambition.”
Back then, Hlako had just come off her role as Press Attaché for Team South Africa at the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, describing it as a life-changing experience.
“That was by far the best experience of my life. It’s still hard to believe that I got to live out my biggest dream. My life can never be the same after that.”
Raised in Polokwane, Hlako’s love for sport was nurtured from an early age by her father: “Growing up, he would sit me down during a football match and explain the different positions and the role each player has in the team,” she said.
The journey to international recognition didn’t come easy. She once recalled how hard she had to work just to get into university: “At first I was rejected because my marks were low, so I had to work very hard in matric to get good marks, and so I did, and eventually got in to Tuks.”
Her career took flight after a university competition led to a life-changing internship: “Bron offered me an internship – and that’s where my career kicked off,” Hlako recalled.
In joining World Athletics, Hlako also took a moment to thank her support system:
“A huge thank you to my friends and family… You prayed and fasted with me. You never stopped believing. This win is yours too!”
She’s always believed in creating space for others too, especially women in sport: “Be relentless,” she advised young women in her 2021 interview. “Keep going, and don’t stop until you make yourself proud.”
Now, from Monaco, she beams: “This is a lifelong dream come true. God is so good. Yoh!! The future has never looked brighter, beloveds! Allons-y!”
Main Photo Caption: Seasoned media and PR professional Maphuti Hlako, winner of the 2022 gsport Woman in PR and Sponsorship Award, has officially joined World Athletics in Monte Carlo, Monaco, marking a major milestone in her career. Photo: Maphuti Hlako
Photo 2 Caption: In a 2021 interview with gsport, Hlako said: “Keep going, and don’t stop until you make yourself proud.”
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