Sevens
Laureus honour for Afrika
2012-11-28 21:30
Cecil Afrika (Gallo Images)
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Cape Town - Springbok Sevens playmaker Cecil Afrika was on Wednesday
confirmed as the latest Laureus South Africa Ambassador, joining the ranks of
other illustrious South African sports personalities such as Springboks Bryan
Habana and Schalk Burger, Shaun Pollock, Mike Horn, Lucas Radebe and Natalie du
Toit.
The announcement was made at the tenth anniversary
celebrations of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation in Newlands, which was
attended by various sports, business and media personalities.
Afrika was named the IRB Sevens Player of the Year in 2011
following his many outstanding performances for the Blitzbokke in the Sevens World Series, where he scored 40 tries and amassed 385 points overall.
He is also an IRB Sevens “Keep Rugby Clean” Ambassador and
is one of the most popular players on the World Series circuit.
Afrika is
currently recovering from a knee injury which has forced him to miss round two
of the World Series in Dubai this weekend. Depending on his recovery, Afrika
might be considered for selection for the South African leg of the World Series
next weekend, the Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens in Port Elizabeth (8 and 9
December).
Afrika said he was deeply touched by the invitation to be
part of the Laureus ambassadorial programme.
“The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation uses the power of
sport to make a difference in the lives of many people and I am really honoured
to be involved. My participation in sport has allowed me to experience many
great things which I normally would only have dreamt about. I am therefore
grateful for this opportunity and looking forward to assist Laureus in their
many community outreach and development projects.”
Springbok rugby legend Morné du Plessis is the chairperson of
the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation in South Africa.
The mission of the international Laureus Foundation is to
use sport as an instrument to combat some of the world’s toughest social
challenges facing young people today such as juvenile crime, gangs, HIV/Aids,
discrimination, social exclusion, landmines awareness and health problems such
as obesity.