BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MBABANE: Eswatini’s team at the African Union Sports Council Region 5 came back with Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. The team came back with 12 medalists in total and each of them were awarded with financial incentives as a small token of appreciation by the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Harries Bulunga.
The team’s total package of incentives amounted to E54,000, after having won four Gold medals, two Silver medals and four Bronze medals. These were earned in the categories of Boxing, Taekwondo, and Athletics.
Incentives’ Recipients were as follows: Hlelo Vilakati, Sihlelelwe Matsebula, Kimberly Dlamini, Phiwayinkhosi Dlamini (E8 000 each); Bafo Dladla, Veliswa Magaya (E5 000 each); Gcinumuzi Nxumalo, Bakhona Sikhondze, Lihle Ginindza, Luzuko Shongwe, Mfundo Nkambule and Nelisiwe Simelane (E3,000).
The minister praised the athletes and encouraged them to continue in their pursuits, while also promising government’s continued support towards them. The Minister said, “These are not payments but a token of appreciation & recognition from Government to you, as athletes, for a job well done. I, on behalf of His Majesty’s Government, congratulate all of you for a stellar showing and for putting our Kingdom on the world map.”
“It is also encouraging to note that five of our 12 medalists are young women who received medals across three categories, underlining the growth that we are experiencing as a country in making sport accessible to women to fully unleash their wide talents.”
“I wish to reiterate His Majesty’s Government unwavering commitment to you as young people. We will continue to strive to create a conducive environment for you to fully live up to your potential in your respective fields in sport”, concluded the Minister.
