Gabonamong wins Santos' big award

| Thursday May 22, 2008 00:00

 

Gabonamong, a consistent performer in midfield for the People's Team, had a big influence in his team's impressive third place finish in the Absa Premiership. Gabonamong is expected in the Botswana national team this week to prepare for the 2010 World Cup/African Nations Cup qualifier against Madagascar at the National Stadium in Gaborone on May 31.

Other winners included Player of the Season (Wayne Arendse), Top goalscorer (Erwin Isaacs), Sportsman of the Season (Eleazar Rodgers), Chairman's award (Musa Otieno), Rookie of the Season (Tawonga Chimodzi), Most Promising Player (Bevan Fransch) and Special award (Wayne Roberts).

Premier Soccer League and World Cup Local Organising Committee chairman, Dr Irvin Khoza, was the keynote speaker and gave a moving speech. Khoza began his speech by condemning the recent spate of violence against foreigners. 'What kind of people are we? These are the same people that we are to share the World Cup with and this is how we treat them,' he says.

'When South Africans fought for liberation in South Africa, our neighbours gave us shelter yet we cannot treat them properly today. Gilbert Mushangazhike (Zimbabwe) scored for Orlando Pirates this past weekend. Imagine if he went home and his family had been abused, killed. Just because they spoke differently. There are many others. The Nyandoros, Nengomashas of our PSL. This violence must stop.'

Khoza went on to congratulate Santos' chairman Goolam Allie for his role in leading Santos to a fine League finish and also paid tribute to legendary Cape Town sports writer Lenny Kleintjies who died recently. (Kick Off)