Mbalula rewards Budler

BOXER Hekkie Budler was one of many athletes who were rewarded for excellence by Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula in Pretoria yesterday.

This comes not long after his trainer Colin Nathan felt his charge had been snubbed by Mbalula in not welcoming him at the airport like he did with Thabiso Mchunu after his title defence against Pigmy Kokietgym in Monaco recently.

But yesterday, the boxer was part of a massive boxing contingent recognised for a standout year. The other recipients included Moruti Mthalane, Zolani Tete, Mzonke Fana, Lwandile Sityatha, Mzuvukile Magwaca, Makazole Tete, Luzuko Siyo, Mfusi Maxhayi, Simpiwe Konco, Noni Tenge, Thabo Sonjica and Ryno Liebenberg.

They were each presented with a cheque for R10000. Mbalula recognised 170 athletes in total.

Mbalula said he did not want to praise people when they were dead: "We realised that not everybody will be recognised in the Sports Awards, so we decided [on] the programme of recognising excellence. This makes athletes understand the importance of representing their country."

Mbalula said trainer Nick Durandt had played a role in the recognition of the boxers.

"Nick Durandt told me two years back that Nelson Mandela used to either write or phone them wherever they were [representing the country] to tell them that South Africa was fully behind them. Nick said this is no longer the case."

Durandt said: "I just hope that the minister follows through with my other request, that of making sure that the SABC comes back to televise boxing live."