BLOEMFONTEIN — Boccia athlete Naledi Nhlapo has been named the overall sports star of the year by the Free State Sport Association for People with Physically Disabled and the Visually Impaired (FSSAPD), the association announced following its awards ceremony on 1 August at the Martie du Plessis School.
Nhlapo, who studies at the University of the Free State (UFS), represented South Africa at the World Boccia Cairo African Regional Championships where she won two silver medals. She added a further silver medal at the national championships, achievements that contributed to her selection as both the association's sports star of the year and the senior female sport star of the year, the association reported.
Para-cycling: the standout discipline
Para-cycling emerged as the dominant sport in the awards, recognised as Sport of the Year after a season in which Free State riders set multiple national marks and claimed numerous medals. The association highlighted a strong focus on coaching and development as a driver of these results.
The senior male sport star accolade went to Lehloane Leshoro, a para-cyclist who won four gold medals and set a South African track record at the national championships. Among junior performers, Brendan Warden was singled out: he won three gold medals, set two South African records in para-cycling and was named both junior sport star of the year and newcomer of the year.
Young athletics and multiple medallists
In the junior female category, Yolanda Kabinga was honoured after winning two medals in athletics at the national championships. The awards reflect growing depth across disciplines for athletes with physical and visual impairments in the province, the FSSAPD said in its report of the event.
The ceremony, held at a school named for former Springbok women’s rugby captain Martie du Plessis, also served as a showcase for talent pathways linking grassroots clubs, provincial structures and national teams. The association emphasised coaching, athlete development and access to competition as priorities going forward.
- Naledi Nhlapo — Sports star of the year; Senior female sport star; two silvers at African Regional Championships; silver at national championships.
- Lehloane Leshoro — Senior male sport star; four national golds; South African track record.
- Yolanda Kabinga — Junior female sport star; two national athletics medals.
- Brendan Warden — Junior sport star; newcomer of the year; three national golds; two South African records.
- Para-cycling — Sport of the year; 13 South African track records cited by the association.
| Award | Athlete | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Sports star of the year | Naledi Nhlapo | Two silvers at African Regional Championships; national silver |
| Senior male sport star | Lehloane Leshoro | Four national golds; South African track record |
| Junior female sport star | Yolanda Kabinga | Two national athletics medals |
| Junior sport star & newcomer | Brendan Warden | Three national golds; two South African records |
| Sport of the year | Para-cycling — 13 South African track records; strong coaching focus | |
The awards come as provincial and national para-sport bodies prepare for a packed calendar of events leading to multi-code national championships. Recognition at provincial functions can assist athletes in securing coaching support, funding and selection opportunities for national representation. The FSSAPD highlighted the significance of international exposure for athletes such as Nhlapo, saying competition abroad raises performance standards and provides experience under pressure.
While the association's announcement focused on elite results, it also pointed to the importance of development programmes for younger athletes and improved access to training facilities. Free State para-sport administrators have in recent seasons worked with schools, universities and clubs to broaden participation and identify talent at an earlier age, the association said.
For the athletes honoured, the awards are both recognition of past results and a platform for future campaigns. Provincial stakeholders, including education and sport departments, clubs and universities such as UFS, will be watching how these winners translate provincial success into continued achievement on national and continental stages.
Details of the awards and the list of winners were reported by Novanews following the FSSAPD ceremony on 1 August.
