BLOEMFONTEIN — The Free State will celebrate its most accomplished sportspeople this weekend when the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (DSACR), in partnership with the Free State Sport Confederation (FSSC), hosts its annual provincial sport awards at Lemo Green Park on Saturday 15 August.
Who will be recognised
The ceremony will honour outstanding performances achieved during the period 1 July 2024 to 31 October 2025 across 20 award categories. The awards recognise men and women, including athletes with disabilities, who have represented the province and South Africa.
The categories include the MEC’s Excellence Award, MEC’s Lifetime Achiever Award, MEC’s Posthumous Award and the top accolade, Sports Star of the Year. Finalists were chosen from entries submitted by individuals, teams and administrators from across the province’s sporting landscape.
Notable finalists
Among the contenders are both established names and rising talent. Finalists for the Sportswoman of the Year with a disability category include Louzanne Coetzee and Naledi Nhlapo. Three athletes are competing for Sportswoman of the Year: Lael Malherbe (World Fitness Federation), Johanita Scholtz (badminton) and Lynette Fischer (triathlon).
The Sportsman of the Year shortlist showcases emerging talent and experienced campaigners: young rugby centre Erich Visser (on the books of the Free State Cheetahs), sprinter Mthi Mthimkulu (200m and 400m) and archery veteran Kobus Barnard, who previously won the award in 2022.
| Category | Selected finalists |
|---|---|
| Sportswoman of the Year | Lael Malherbe, Johanita Scholtz, Lynette Fischer |
| Sportswoman (with disability) | Louzanne Coetzee, Naledi Nhlapo |
| Sportsman of the Year | Erich Visser, Mthi Mthimkulu, Kobus Barnard |
Province praises resilience and professionalism
Ntombizanele Sifuba, the MEC for DSACR, described the awards as one of the province’s most prestigious platforms for recognizing sporting excellence. The department said the event highlights athletes and officials who have shown resilience and discipline while elevating the profile of the Free State.
“We are immensely proud of our athletes and sports officials who continue to elevate our province through passion, professionalism and innovation. These nominations are a reflection of the strength and richness of sport in our province. We wish every finalist the very best; your dedication and hard work have truly paid off,”
Local impact and what to expect
The awards ceremony provides recognition and visibility for athletes across mainstream and para-sport codes. For emerging athletes such as Erich Visser and Mthi Mthimkulu, provincial recognition can lead to increased exposure to scouts, higher-level competition and sponsorship opportunities. For more established competitors, the event is an acknowledgement of sustained contribution to provincial sport.
- When: Saturday 15 August
- Where: Lemo Green Park, Bloemfontein
- Who: Finalists from 1 July 2024 to 31 October 2025 performance period
Local clubs, schools and sport administrators also use the awards as a networking platform to discuss development pathways, coaching, and talent identification in the province. The ceremony typically attracts administrators, sponsors, coaches and local government representatives.
Why these awards matter
Provincial awards are more than trophies: they quantify progress in athlete development, reward volunteers and officials, and offer a snapshot of the province’s sporting health. Recognising both able-bodied and para-athletes underlines the province’s commitment to inclusive sport development.
The DSACR’s selection process draws on nominations from across the Free State. Winners will be announced on the night; details of recipients and any follow-up programmes or bursaries will be published by the department after the ceremony.
Members of the public and supporters who want to follow outcomes should look for post-event releases from the department and the Free State Sport Confederation.
