WOMEN'S soccer pioneer Gloria "Sweet 16" Hlalele will be among the 100 women honoured at the inaugural Women in Sports Awards in Johannesburg tonight.
Hlalele made a name for herself at the age of 15 after playing with men in the Tembisa United Football League.
She played in the same team as former AmaZulu star Joel Ranyawa and later Tumelo Mofokeng, who would go on to feature for Tembisa Classic.
Hlalele also formed her own club, Gloria FC, and was one of the founding members of Banyana Banyana, when the team was formed in 1993.
Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula said the awards would be an annual event, "to honour our sisters and mothers who played a huge role in sports during the dark days of apartheid and after we attained freedom".
Also to be honoured is athletics legend Rosina Sedibane, who excelled in 800m and 1500m events in the 1980s.
The Atteridgeville teacher has a school named after her.
Boxing South Africa chairwoman Ntambi Ravele, South African Football Association national executive member Ria Ledwaba, boxer Noni Tenge and athlete Caster Semenya will also be recognised for their contribution to sport in the country.
The Banyana duo of Janine van Wyk and Portia Modise will also receive accolades after each earning more than 100 caps.