Intengu Communications recently assisted the Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC) and the Eastern Cape Sports Council (ECSC) in staging the Eastern Cape Premier Sport and Recreation Awards event to acknowledge and reward the province’s sports stars for their efforts and achievements in sport for the previous year.

The event was held on Friday 26 February at the Regent Hotel’s International Convention Centre and 360 guests attended the event. The Premier of the Province, Noxolo Kiviet, was the guest of honour at this event ably assisted by the MEC for Sport, Recreation Arts and Culture, Xoliswa Tom.

On arrival, guests enjoyed a welcome drink, and had the opportunity to have their photograph taken. The venue was decorated in a sport theme, and guests were entertained by the Urban Connection jazz band and MCs Putco Mafani and Marlene Ewers. Award recipients literally walked the red carpet to the stage, which was lit up with fairy lights.

Awards were presented in the following categories:

• Sport Star of the Year
• Sportsman of the Year
• Sportswoman of the Year
• Sport Team of the Year
• Disabled Sportsman of the Year
• Disabled Sportswoman of the Year
• Disabled Sport Team of the Year
• Personality of the Year
• Coach of the Year
• Technical Official of the Year
• Journalist of the Year
• Presenter of the Year
• Special Awards
• Recreation Awards

The Sport Star of the Year was awarded to Mark Boucher for his outstanding achievements in cricket during the year. He was also named the Sportsman of the Year.

The Sportswoman of the Year was awarded to Cindy Schwulst who was the World Gold Medallist at the 2009 World Biathlon Championships in Monte Carlo.