The awards, rewarding both able-bodied and disabled sports development projects, focuses on individuals or teams that have the potential to be champions.
"The Jack Cheetham Memorial Award for able-bodied athletes was established 34 years ago in recognition of the special qualities of Jack Cheetham, a former director of the company and an inspirational captain of the South African cricket team in the 1950s who was able to instill in young people the belief that they could win," says Andrew Skudder, Sustainability Director for Murray & Roberts Limited.
Skudder says that the origin of the Murray & Roberts Letsema Award, for disabled athletes, dates back to 2008 after seeing the outstanding performance of athlete Hilton Langenhoven at the Paralympics in Beijing. The new category was launched the following year and the awards name changed to the Jack Cheetham and Letsema Awards.
The overall winner of the Jack Cheetham Award will receive R500 000 over five years and the runner-up will get R150 000 over three years. The third-placed project will receive R75 000 over two years.
For the Letsema Award, the prizes are R500 000 over five years for the winner; R150 000 over three years for the runner-up, and R75 000 over two years for the second runner-up.
Continues Skudder, "Over the last decade we have partnered with more than 30 organisations, providing financial and face-to-face support to their leadership and athletes. There are currently 22 active beneficiaries, working with able-bodied people as well as athletes with disabilities."
"These organisations provide, amongst other, safe places, nutritious meals, homework support and a sense of belonging for the athletes during their journey to sporting excellence. We are proud of our association with these partners and commend them on the remarkable achievements and accolades received to date and we are look forward to announcing the 2015 winners later this year."
For more, go to www.jclawards.co.za or www.sascoc.co.za
