The Angling Professional League (APL) held the organisation’s fifth Annual General Meeting (AGM) on July 13.
At the AGM, the new cabinet was elected which will lead the APL throughout the upcoming season. The cabinet includes Matthew Shunmugam as President; Vishnu Govender as Vice President; Ajen Goli as Secretary; Eugene Ramparsad as Treasurer; Liaquat Ahmed as the Record Clerk; Harold Verwey as Assistant Record Clerk; Rafique Hoffese as PRO; Yusuf Amedjee as PRO and Monty Slabbert as the Time Keeper.
The season officially began with the hosting of the first round of the VME League at Sandford on August 18.
The eager anglers gathered at the main gates as early as August 17, to secure their favourite spots. The elusive fish seemed to evade the avid anglers, as the bites were few. Some anglers remarked their “policeman” did not even move for the entire duration of the competition.
Obviously, the main duel was between archrivals, Ladysmith AC and Breakwaters AC. However, it was Breakwaters AC the current defending League champions who drew first blood, emerging as the victors, finishing with 36 points.
They were followed by Ladysmith AC on 27 points; Dannhauser AC on 12 points, Challengers with 6 points; Glencoe AC on 5 points and Stillwaters AC on 4 points.
The Angler of the Day was Ronnie Rampersadh of Breakwaters, who accumulated 8 points, to don the “orange” and “green” cap, pocket R200 and an outright trophy.
The VME log standings:
- Breakwaters AC with 12 pts;
- Ladysmith AC with 10 points;
- Dannhauser on 8 points;
- Challengers on 6 points;
- Glencoe with 4 points;
- Stillwaters AC with 2 points.
At the conclusion of the weigh-in, the title holders for the past season were awarded a floating and an outright trophy.
The titleholders for the Season: Haroon Bosman (LAC) receiving the Danny Mashlamoney Govender Memorial Trophy for the Heaviest Scaled Fish, a carp of 4,374kg, seeing Haroon winning R500.
Sagie Moodley (BAC) received the Errol Ramparsad Memorial Trophy for Heaviest Non-Scaled Fish, a barbel of 5,822kg. Ashley Baijnath (SAC) receiving the Complete Tech Trophy for the Rare Species Category, a Kurper of 566g, winning R500.
Talia Boodhoo (SAC) receiving the Newcastle Funeral Home Floating Trophy as the Junior Angler of the Year. Veruschka Boodhoo (SAC) awarded the Anil Gangai Memorial Trophy for the Lady Angler of the Year; while Ronnie Rampersadh received the Asime Sonke Trading and Projects Trophy as the Senior Angler of the Year.
Sikander Amod (BAC) receiving the coveted AA Tours Floating Trophy as the Angler of the Year, R3000 worth of tackle voucher and a family weekend at Chimani Resort on the Vaal River sponsored by Andre Bait and Tackle.
Monty Slabbert (BAC) and Rajendra Garahoo (CAC) placed second and third respectively and received tackle vouchers worth R2 000 and R1 000 each.
Well done to the anglers for reeling in the win for their respective angling clubs.
