Photo Credit: Lions Cricket
The DP World Lions Blind Cricket Team as well as Temba Bavuma have been confirmed amongst the finalists of this year’s Gauteng Sports Awards.
The 12th annual awards will take place later in October under the theme ‘Enabling excellence, inspiring the youth’. Featuring 20 categories, it was announced by MEC Morakane Mosupyoe that the DP World Lions Blind Cricket team has been named as finalists in three of the categories namely:
Sport Team of the Year: Lions Blind Cricket
Sportsman of the Year with Disability: Buhle Bhidla
Administrator of Year: Isaac Asanda Bidla
In addition, DP World Lions Captain Temba Bavuma was named as a Sports Personality of the Year finalist. Captain for his country in Tests and ODI’s, Temba Bavuma has played for the Pride for 15 years, making his first class debut for Gauteng Strikers on 2 October 2008. Recording a highest First Class score of 180 vs Dolphins, Temba is held in exceptionally high esteem by all who play with or against him.
Lions Cricket CEO Jono Leaf-Wright is exceptionally pleased that the Pride is well-represented;
“Our Blind team has worked tirelessly not only over the last year, but many seasons prior to that. So, to have them named in three categories is unsurprising and most welcomed. As for the nomination of our Captain Temba Bavuma: He is a man of honour with an unrivalled work ethic who holds his sport and his home Province of Gauteng in the highest regard. He knows that playing is a privilege and always makes time for his fans and those dear to him. I wish Temba, Buhle, Isaac and the full DP World Lions Blind team all the very best for the awards to be held later this month.”
Achievements of the DP World Lions Blind Cricket team this last season include being crowned as T20 National Tournament Champions as well as 2023 BCSA One Day Cup champions. The team was also winners of multiple Provincial Tournaments and have strong representation of both players and administrators in various national teams.
Perhaps the greatest achievements of the DP World Lions team which no doubt stood them in good stead for their nominations is the team’s dedication to their work off field. The team works hand in hand with the Society for the Blind; Sibonile Special School; Action for the Blind; Soweto Disability Group; Wits University and the University of Johannesburg to develop young players and also aid in guiding them career-wise.
With 7 players being selected in the preliminary SA squad that will represent the country against New Zealand and Bangladesh in February 2024, Captain Isaac Bidla says that his team is grateful for all the support they’ve received and look forward to the Awards;
“We are thankful that CEO Jono Leaf-Wright and indeed the entire Lions Cricket Board recognise our hard work over these past seasons. We will continue to raise the flag high and would like to thank the Gauteng Department of Sport; City of Joburg; Coca Cola and Ashraful Aid for their contributions and assistance. Of course, we wish our fellow Pride member Temba Bavuma everything of the best for his nomination too!”
Should you wish to vote, please download the nomination forms:
Details: SportsAwards@gauteng.gov.za; www.gauteng.gov.za
