The Sports Studies Department at DUT held its Annual Sports Awards at the Maharani Hotel, Golden Mile, on Friday last week (15 May 2015), where the department’s hardworking students were honoured.

Through the awards, the Department and the Faculty of Applied Sciences encourage students to excel, not only in the field of sports but in their academic studies as well. The awards directly benefit and underpin the work done by the students and lecturers in the Department.

“DUT is becoming the centre of the sports solar system in the country,” said Professor Suren Singh, Faculty of Applied Sciences Executive Dean. “We are reinventing the Sports Studies course. It will now be called Sports Science and Management. You cannot have sports and leave out management. We have to start driving sports with management. Commitment, consistency plays a good role in terms of achieving success. Keep that fire ignited in your belly, it is very important. Despite all the adversity in sports and where you are, just keep that fire (burning) and aim higher,” he said.

Head of the Sports Department, Tanja Schafer, said the change of the curriculum will result in many interesting and exciting courses which will aim to provide students with more opportunities. Motivating the students, she said, “To our awardees, lifelong learning is important. Use your outstanding performance as a motivation to constantly excel in everything you do. Never lose hope and remember that you can outwork anybody,” she said.

Chief Executive Officer and Director of Prosport International and guest speaker, Mike Makaab, highlighted the opportunities offered by the sports industry. He urged students to take advantage of the opportunities offered to them.

– Noxolo Memela

Pictured from left (back row): Mike Makaab, CEO and Director of Prosport; Professor Suren Singh, DUT Applied Sciences Faculty Executive Dean, Tanja Schafer, Sports Department Head (far right) and all the 2014 DUT Annual Sports Awards recipients.