A volunteer at the 2024 Special Olympics, Mr Samuel Maduwa, received a special award at the annual Limpopo Sport Awards ceremony held at Meropa Casino on Saturday.

Several of the province’s sports personalities were honoured with cash prizes and trophies during the event, which recognises individuals and teams who have excelled both on and off the field. Maduwa walked away with R25,000 and a trophy.

During the ceremony, Limpopo MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture, Jerry Maseko, paid tribute to all the athletes, encouraging them to strive for international recognition. He commended the recipients for their achievements and urged them to continue using sport as a catalyst for change in their lives and communities.

“Win or not, you are very important citizens of this province and the sporting fraternity. We believe in you and your capabilities,” he said. Maduwa praised Limpopo’s sporting talent and encouraged young people to get involved in sport. He also called for greater inclusion of people with disabilities, urging communities not to sideline them.

“We want to show that people with disabilities can participate in any sport. We love and accept them in our homes and communities,” he said. He also warned parents against exploiting disability grants for personal gain and neglecting their children’s needs.