"Keep the Olympic flame burning"

WE ARE fresh from the International Olympics Committee's 123rd Session in the "fake winter" of Durban, which was in stark contrast to conditions expected for the 2018 Winter Games in the real winter of PyeongChang, South Korea.

Congratulations to the people of South Korea for getting the Durban nod.

Many questions were asked and statements made during the session about the decision of South Africa not to bid to host the 2020 Summer Games.

We welcome the vote of confidence from the IOC, but as a country we have stated that we will not be bidding to host the event. Thanks to IOC president Jacques Rogge for being bestowed with the Companions of ORTambo for the role he played on behalf of the IOC to bring the session to Africa after almost 86 years.

We really appreciate the confidence. The closing statement by Dr Rogge will always be in our hearts when he said "we will be back".

This statement itself is a clarion call for South Africans and Africans to seize the opportunity and proudly burn the Olympic flame.

We are raising the bar, South Africa. With the South African Sports Awards, we are talking of the razzmatazz of the Superbowl. We are talking of our athletes walking with their heads held high, wearing the legendary Andrew Mlangeni Green Jackets, especially those who walked and represented the country proudly.

Let me borrow hip-hop mogul P Diddy's song, I'm Coming Home, in dedicating the glamour of the Sporting Awards to the athletes themselves:

I'm back where I belong, yeah, I never felt so strong and I'm feelin like there's nothin that I can't try.

And if you with me put your hands high

If you ever lost a life before (hey) this one's for you.

(And if you hear me put your hands high).

Your dreams are fulfilled, you rockin with the best (yeah, hey).

Last night we unveiled the swag of sport in South Africa, the Legends Carpet, in a glittering ceremony at the Amphitheatre of Lost City in Sun City, North West. Only champions can walk on it with pride, they have earned it. With the Sports Awards we are raising the bar. We are celebrating excellence.

We had a wonderful year in sport and we need to celebrate our athletes for the job well done in representing South Africa and their own teams.

Through the Legends Carpet, we are able to showcase class at its best, with champions hoisting their boxing belts, their trophies and medals high. The Legends Carpet is a motivation for our youth to walk on it like their heroes and heroines.

Congratulations to all the nominees of last night, and we wish them all the best on the August 20 2011 at the Razzmatazz in the Superbowl.

We expect huge international surprises musically and sporting-wise. Keep your eye on the ball, never lose focus. Victory is certain.

To all those who will not be making their victory speeches in the Superbowl, we say never give up. Walk the Legends Carpet again next year and get the ultimate prize.

Like writers get the Pulitzer Prize, I will on the night honour those athletes who have made the country proud by their dedication in the Minister's Awards for Excellence. Also in recognition of the impact some individuals made in our lives through working for sport, whether players, administrators or other officials.

Congratulations again to the likes of Thulani Serero, LJ van Zyl, Noko Matlou, Natalie du Toit, Luvo Manyonga, Sunette Viljoen and many others who are nominated.

Let me seize this opportunity in closing to congratulate the South African netball team, Amantombazane, for their great showing in the World Netball Championships in Singapore.

We really are proud of you for qualifying for the 2015 World Championship. Again it is fitting to also congratulate Erin Burger for being voted player of the tournament.

- Fikile Mbalula, Minister of Sport and Recreation