Accra, Dec. 10, GNA – Six African sports personalities have been shortlisted for the Africa Sports Personality of the Year following its re-launch by BBC Sports Africa.
The six personalities include Eliud Kipchoge, Faith Kipyegon, Ntando Mahlangu, Christine Mboma, Edouard Mendy and Tatjana Shoenmaker.
The six shortlisted candidates were selected by a panel of experts including administrators, journalists and coaches with the winner set to be crowned with votes from members of the public.
After receiving the nomination Eluid Kipchoge who is arguably the best marathon runner of all time said: Thank you for the nomination… That’s a huge motivation for me – to know there are people who are seeing what you are doing outside your training camp, or outside your performance, that they want to honour you. I am so happy to be nominated with my fellow athletes. It is such a great feeling.”
Kenya athlete Faith Kipyegon who set an Olympic record in Tokyo to win back-to-back 1500m golds was elated with her nomination saying that: “I am so grateful to be nominated as a BBC African Sports Personality of The Year. It really means something great to me. I didn’t expect to be nominated, but I’m so grateful. To be nominated motivates us a lot as sports women and men. It means we are supported, and appreciated. This is something special. Thank
you so much!”
Namibian 18-year-old runner Christine Mboma who became the first Namibian woman to stand on Olympic podium after winning silver said: ”“It’s an honour for me just to be nominated for the award. I definitely think it’s something to be proud of, to be nominated for the [African Sports] Personality of the Year. We’ve been setting records and now to get that reward back, for people to see the work that has been put in, it’s very special.”
Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy who has had an impressive outing for the Blues said this after receiving the nomination.
“It’s a real pride for me to be nominated in this category for Africa for all that I have also done outside of the continent. So, it’s something that makes me very happy and very proud, of course.”
South Africa’s Tatjana Schoenmaker who made waves at the Tokyo Olympics after winning gold and a silver said: “To be nominated for such an award is already an amazing achievement. I think there’s so many athletes that could be nominated for this award, so being one of six, just makes it truly more honorable. I want to say thank you for the awards, and for celebrating us as athletes and just celebrating our achievements”.
GNA