FISU's Acting President Leonz Eder, together with secretary general Eric Saintrond, made the presentation to Ralethe in Lake Placid, venue for the 2023 Winter World University Games.

Ralethe, who is now a chief executive at Voortrekker Hospital, Limpopo, is a former President of the Federation of African University Sports (FASU), and has made a progressive contribution to university sport since joining FISU as a young medical doctor in 2003.

As a young man, his student sport leadership abilities were honed during his time as the President of University Sports South Africa (USSA).

He went on to serve on the Executive Board of the South African Sports Confederation and National Olympic Committee in 2004.

Commending Ralethe’s work over the past 20 years, Eder said: "He was politically active from the early start of his career and involvement with FISU.

"By this, I mean that he always had clear and tough statements.

"Then we had a period in FISU when he was in the executive committee where he made such a great contribution, in his home country in South Africa and the African continent.

"His work is commendable and respected all over the world."

"Dr Ralethe is a well-respected leader of University Sport South Africa whose contributions to student sport has its footprint worldwide,"said USSA President Nomsa Mahlangu.

"He remains a committed and active honorary member of our organisation.

"We salute and applaud him on receiving this award from FISU."

Others present at the ceremony in New York included Peninnah Kabenge, FASU secretary general, FISU vice-president and director of sport at Makerere University, Uganda; Delise O’meally, vice-president of the United States International University Sports Federation; Professor Byong Jin You of South Korea; Dr. Martin Doulton of Australia, Dr. Omar Al-Hai of the United Arab Emirates, as well as Professor Kemal Tamer of Turkey and honorary member Risto Nieman from Finland.

"I’m a man of fewer words," Ralethe said. 

"But I would like to thank the President, the vice-president, the executive committee and members of our staff, including the different generations of honorary members and leaders at all levels, who were always ready to mentor me and others.

"We had a great relationship, made many moves that advocated for continental university sports development, especially on student and women participation, and it was fulfilling to see many of those plans come to fruition.

"Therefore, I cannot thank you enough.

"May the great work continue!"