ANSA nominees unveiled

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
THE chairman of the Judges Panel for the Annual National Sports Awards, Titus Zvomuya, has hailed the national sport associations for their cooperation in this year’s selection process for the prestigious awards.Zvomuya was speaking during the unveiling of the nominees yesterday at a function held at the Sports Commission’s offices at the National Sports Stadium.

The awards will be held on December 11 at Rainbow Towers.

Zvomuya said there was a significant improvement from the associations in forwarding their nominees to the Judge’s Panel compared to the previous year.

“We met nearly eight times and the last two meetings were the hectic ones, where after the nominations we had to go through all those nominations.

“We wanted to make sure that we did it in an objective manner and we hope that’s exactly what we did.

“I must say in terms of the adjudication process, through the guidance of the SRC, we were able to use a policy which guided us throughout.

“There was a marking sheet which we used to score in terms of making sure that we don’t just give marks arbitrarily.

“This year, there was a very significant improvement from last year from the national associations. We are aware of the fact that there is need for us to improve in terms of those nominations but in one category there were actually 19 nominations which was very encouraging.

“And all deserving candidates for that matter, not just names but deserving candidates,” said Zvomuya.

The Sportswomen of the Year Category had 19 nominees before the number was whittled down.

Zvomuya, who took over from Paul Nenjerama, said it was unfortunate there were not many competitions this year since it was not an Olympic year, resulting in some athletes not getting the opportunity to compete in continental and international events that could have seen them scoring more points for the awards.

“This year the competition was stiffer but unfortunately this is not being an Olympic year there were not much competition continentally and internationally with only a few individuals taking part in international events where if others had had the same opportunity it could have been different,” said Zvomuya.

Sports Commission director general, Charles Nhemachena, said they are happy to be hosting the national awards in recognition of the outstanding athletes.

“The Sports and Recreation is happy to be presenting these awards not only because this is our mandate to do so but it’s because it is our mark of appreciation for the sterling performances that our sportspersons continue to exhibit.

“We know and appreciate that our sportspersons face numerous challenges to do with funding, equipment, infrastructure and the like but in spite of all these challenges they persevere, so that they can not only rise to excellence but they can also raise our national flag high.

“A special thanks of course to the national sport associations who support these athletes, it’s not only the national sport associations but in some cases the parents and friends folk out the resources in order to assist these athletes to get to their highest performances and we are truly appreciative of that,” said Nhemachena.

Nominees
Sportsman of the Year
Charles Manyuchi (boxing), Takanyi Garanganga (tennis), Samson Muripo (karate).

Sportswoman of the Year
Cara Black (tennis), Micheen Thornycroft (rowing), Rachel Goromonzi (hockey).
Junior Sportsman of the Year
Faber Murray Lauchlan (rowing), Michael Songore (athletics), Peter Purcell Gilpin (rowing).

Junior Sportswoman of the Year
Laurelle Brown (triathlon), Nicole Dzenga (tennis), Ruvarashe Mzinde (athletics).
Sportsman of the Year with Disability
Daniel Nyuke (wheelchair basketball), Edmund Makutya (wheelchair racing), Elford Moyo (wheelchair racing).

Sportswoman of the Year with Disability
Dorcas Hwatira (wheelchair racing), Margaret Bangajena (wheelchair racing), Moline Muza (wheelchair racing).
Junior Sportsman of the Year with Disability
Brian Mafuvise (wheelchair tennis), Emmanuel Musara (T13 athletics), Shepherd Banda (wheelchair tennis).
Junior Sportswoman of the Year with Disability
Jenifer Zibamwe (T13 athletics), Patience Majoni (IC athletics), Laina Sithole (T13 athletics).

Team of the Year
National team Under-19 (volleyball), Zimbabwe cricket (cricket), Zimbabwe Warriors (football).

Coach of the Year
Ian Gorowa (football), Rachel Davis (Rowing), Wayne Davidson (triathlon).
Technical Official of the Year
Ginny Ross (hockey), Joyce Muchenu (basketball), Rick Fulton (triathlon).

Sports Administration of the Year
Triathlon Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Karate Union, Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union.

Sport Development of the Year
National BMX Association of Zimbabwe, National Darts Association of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Netball Association.

Women in Sport Award
Eugenia Chidhakwa, Anna Mguni.