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Cameron cranky at award snub

Cape Town - According to EWN Sport’s website, Cameron van der Burgh has expressed disappointment at being overlooked for this year's list of National Order recipients.

National Orders are the highest awards that a country, through its President, bestows to its citizens and eminent foreign nationals who have contributed towards the advancement of democracy and who made a significant impact on improving the lives of South Africans.

The Order of Ikhamanga recognises South African citizens who have excelled in the fields of arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport.

Van der Burgh, felt that his achievements as a gold medalist at last year's London Olympics in the 100 metre breaststroke, merited inclusion on the list.

Fellow Olympian gold medalist Chad le Clos was named in the 2012 list of recipients (silver) by the Chancellor of the National Orders Cassius Lubisi at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Tuesday, along with legendary South African footballer Kaizer Motaung and Paralympian Ilse Hayes (both silver).

Past sporting recipients of the award include Oscar Pistorius (bronze), Natalie du Toit (silver), Gary Player (gold), Ernst van Dyk (silver) and Cheeky Watson (silver).

Van der Burgh’s agent and manager, Ryk Neethling, said Van der Burgh was unfairly overlooked for the award.

Neethling, a former Olympic gold medalist himself who received the Order of Ikhamanga in 2006 (silver), said Van der Burgh could feel hard done by at being snubbed.

"Cameron has really achieved everything that there is to achieve in swimming. I know that he feels hard done by it and I think it's a definite oversight," said Neethling.

The award nomination has been criticised in the past for inconsistent standards, in particular for the lack of past Rugby World Cup and cricket luminaries receiving the award.

In response, the presidency said that a nomination process is followed in deciding worthy candidates and encouraged the public to participate in the nomination of candidates.

President Jacob Zuma will present the awards at the annual Freedom Day ceremony on Saturday.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Has Cameron van der Burgh got reason to feel aggrieved at being left of the National Order list? Send your thoughts to Sport24.
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