'It's not about you': South African captain's inspirational speech at sports award
World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi has delivered a memorable acceptance speech at the Laureus World Sports Awards after South Africa edged out Liverpool as the team of the year.
South Africa lifted the World Cup trophy in Japan for the third time in the nation’s history last year.
INSPIRATIONAL: South African captain's ‘glorious' World Cup speech
Kolisi also became the first black World Cup winning captain after a sensational victory over England in the 2019 final.
To add to the honour, South Africa won the team of the year over Champions League winners Liverpool and Women’s World Cup winning team USA.
Kolisi then delivered an inspirational speech about the power of sport for children and how it can help unite a nation divided with political and social issues.
“When Nelson Mandela spoke 20 years ago about the power of sport to unite, I can honestly tell you I felt it,” he said.
“We all have different challenges, but because of the game that we love, which is rugby, we came together because we had one goal — we fought so hard for each other because our country at the time is going through such a difficult period.
“We had gender based violence, we had xenophobia.
The people's champion @SiyaKolisi_Bear 🙌
A special and moving speech from the incredible World Team of the Year @Springboks' captain 🇿🇦
"We really touch lives in the way governments and politicians can't do."
A true sporting inspiration 👏#Laureus20 #SportUnitesUs pic.twitter.com/e4h6P1Yvfx— Laureus (@LaureusSport) February 17, 2020
“Our main goal was to come together and make sure that we do the best that we can in the sport that we love.
“We gained everything that we can, and didn’t only see South Africa come together when we brought back the trophy — we inspired a lot of kids to live their dreams.
“Now, a kid from a township who can’t afford school shoes, who walks to school and who doesn’t eat every single day, can stand here and be a Rugby World Cup winning captain.
“Some guys from the farm can become Springbok coaches, Cheslin Kolbe has a beautiful story as well — he’s been told that he can’t make it so many times, and he fought against that.
“And now he is one of the best players in the world.
“Francois Louw, who comes from a rich rugby family who love rugby, he had to fight through all of that to write his own path.
“Now he’s made it to here and inspired so many other people.”
Kolisi then added one final message to sportsman in the room and around the world.
“And just one last message, to say to all the sportsmen — just keep on doing what you are doing, because it’s not just about you,” he added.
“There are people looking at you, and we really touch people’s lives in ways that governments can’t do, politicians can’t do.
“You can touch and change a kid’s life.
“You don’t even have to know who he is or where he is from — but he looks at you and says, one day, I want to be like that.
“Thank you so much everybody, enjoy the rest of your night.”
Messi and Hamilton share award
Forumla 1 driver Lewis Hamilton and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi shared the sportsperson of the year.
The shared award was the first time in 20-years the Laureus Sporting Academy board couldn’t split two athletes.
F3 driver Sophia Flörsch won the comeback of the year after she lost control of her car at 276km/h and flew into a wall leaving her with a spinal fracture.
But one-year on from the injury she returned to F3.
Australian rugby player Christian Leali’ifano was nominated for the award after beating cancer to play at the Rugby World Cup.
