Picture: A sassy You FM sports presenter, Karabo Mokgalagadi/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
The award-winning sports presenter, Karabo Mokgalagadi continues to be a ‘beacon of hope’ for aspiring sports presenters across the province. Mokgalagadi showed her pedigree when she won the Sports Journalist of the Year (electronic) during the prestigious North West Sports Awards (NWSAs) held at Sun City Super Bowl in Rustenburg on Saturday.
You FM’s sassy sports presenter, who engrossed the judges said, this achievement will encourage her to work hard. Ms K as Mokgalagadi is affectionately known in the sports fraternity, further said, she achieved this through discipline, dedication and determination.
“To be honest, this means a lot to me because is a provincial recognition. You know, just getting that nod from the province that says, Karabo, you doing great….it really put my heart at ease.
“This is a proper stamp of approval to say Karabo, your work is being recognised as a woman in sport. So, I am very humbled and I think we can still do more,” she said.
Mokgalagadi said, it is not an easy task, especially for women to claim their niche in the industry because it is still male-dominated. However, she encouraged aspiring sports presenters in the province to develop a thicker skin to survive.
“Firstly, my message to those aspiring sports presenters is that, be you and do you. This is a tough industry, which is still male-dominated. You really need to have a thicker skin and believe in yourself.
“Another thing, please take criticism constructively. Remember, there will be those who like or hate you. This is a great initiative to honour our athletes in the province,” said Mokgalagadi.
However, she added that there is a lot that needs to be done to improve sports in the province. Mokgalagadi said, there are development structures across the province, but the financial support is not enough.
“I think, what should be done to improve our sport is to give unwavering support, especially financially to these structures. There are development structures for various sporting codes, but they need to be financially backed.
“We have an abundance of talents in the province and once we get that proper push, our athletes will definitely shine. Every Tuesday, I talk sport development on my show and that’s where I realised that the talent is there, but there is a lack of support,” said Mokgalagadi.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, Kenetswe Mosenogi said: “I am delighted to present the prestigious North West Sport Recognition Awards, as we honour our athletes, sports teams and schools, who have excelled in their various sporting codes.
“The department and North West Provincial Sports Confederation have jointly embarked on this momentous initiative to ensure that excellence in sports, is duly recognised, rewarded and honoured.”
Mosenogi said the sport is one of the key contributors to the economy and social development as it plays a significant role in mitigating the well-known triple challenges in our society such as poverty, inequality and unemployment.
“We can never forget the ripple effect of COVID-19 on sports as for the past two years or so, athletes, whose livelihoods depend on sports were gravely affected as all sporting events across the globe were suspended.
“Therefore, we are pleased to have these men and women back at their various sporting platforms. These recognition awards also cast its eyes on sports administrators, who are responsible for the smooth operations of various sporting events and activities and enduring that they become a success,” she said.
The Guardian 