The ANN7 sports anchor, who also presents the daily show Game On!, recently scooped the Journalist of the Year accolade at the Gauteng Sports Awards.

The 27-year-old intrepid newshound says her love for sport was developed by her equally famous father, Maqsood 'Macky' Chenia. The Vaal businessman is also a football coach who once coached South Africa's under-20 national team, known as the Amajita.

Says Chenia: "I am an only child and, for as long as I can remember, sport has always been a part of our lives. My dad is a football coach and I would spend weekends with him in the townships playing football. I guess it was inevitable that my love for sport brought me to where I am. My dad actually wanted me to become a professional footballer and play for Banyana Banyana but, as they say, if you can't play, you present."

Despite her young age, Chenia has enjoyed a varied career in journalism. A graduate of Rhodes University, she began her TV career while still in school when she presented a youth affairs programme on ITV as well as a news show on Channel Islam.

"I have always been an inquisitive person, much to my mothers' dismay. But it fuelled my interest in journalism. When I qualified from Rhodes I applied for a job at Supersport and got called in for an interview. It seemed that I was at the right place at the right time and I joined the broadcasting team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Thereafter I was a presenter for PSL News on Supersport Blitz. I also did on-field interviews with top performing local and international athletes and administrators."

Since her breakthrough at Supersport, Chenia has scooped several plaudits. In 2011 she was selected as an ambassador for the Springbok Supporters Club and in 2014 she received the Sports Ministers Excellence Award and was a finalist at the Gauteng Sports Awards before winning it this year.

She says the award came as a "surprise", saying: "I was nominated with some great and established people in the Industry so I didn't think I would win. My team and I have worked very hard to be where we are. We are a small team that works very hard to tell stories that don't always make it to air on other stations. That is why I think we were recognised."

She says it is encouraging to see more women in sports journalism, which is traditionally male-dominated. "When I started out, I was often the only female in press conferences. Things have changed a lot as there are more women coming in. But there still remains a lot of sexism in the industry."

She says interviewing ailing rugby legend Joost van der Westhuizen "and the many international and local sporting heroes that have made this country proud" were career highlights.

"It is really so hard to choose one because there have been so many that have touched me in so many ways," she says. "Jabu Mahlangu's story of drug abuse and finding his way back as well as Schalk Burger on his remarkable road to recovery rank up there. I also interviewed Joost who, with MNS, is still his charming self. Then there is the story of William Mokgopo who comes from Diepsloot and had very little access and support in terms of facilities but is now a professional cyclist."

But it is showcasing the roots of our up-and-coming sports stars that gets her juices flowing. "I have done stories of boxers and cricketers from the rural Eastern Cape, fencing in Alexandra and football in Shoshanguve. Those, for me, have been the most interesting places and most humbling. This is why I got into TV and why I love what I do - telling inspiring stories."

For all her achievements, however, Chenia has experienced her fair share of criticism. In 2013, for example, when ANN7 was launched, she featured in a string of bloopers that went viral on social media. She says the criticisms were "upsetting and unfortunate" especially since the station was getting off the ground and such mistakes were bound to occur.

"Having spent a lot of time building your credibility, only for it to be torn down in a minute, was extremely heart-breaking, I think I cried for a month after that," she remembers. But I had some great people keeping me motivated like my mom, my bosses and other journalists in the industry who understand the workings of television. It is very easy for people to criticise but there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that they are unaware of. As the saying goes, whatever doesn't kill you only makes you stronger."

Chenia says she loves the rush of breaking news and admits to being somewhat of an adrenaline junkie. "For example, I love bungee jumping. I have done the one over Victoria Falls, the Orlando Towers and the swing at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. I am quite the adrenaline junkie so I love doing these types of activities."

She says she's currently living her dream by telling stories through television. "I am a person that gets bored very easily so I thrive on breaking news. It's why we do what we do. We have a responsibility to tell stories while informing, educating and inspiring our viewers - and aim to do so with speed and credibility."

For more information, visit www.mahreenchenia.co.za. Alternatively, connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.