adminNational Sportsperson of the Year Awards for 2011 when the names are unveiled almost a fortnight from now.
Coventry, won most of the gold medals for Team Zimbabwe from the All-Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique, to put herself in strong contention for the prestigious award. The celebrated swimmer contributed four of Zimbabwe’s six gold medals at the Games in August and was named the overall Sportsperson of the Year in 2008. The swimming icon is a favourite to be nominated from the
Sportswoman of the Year section and she could even go on to win the big one.
Makusha became the first Zimbabwean to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships after getting a bronze in Daegu, South Korea in August and is a candidate for the Sportsman of the Year.
By winning the bronze medal, Makusha made history as the first Zimbabwean to win a medal at the International Association of Athletics Federations World Championships. On April 23 this year, Makusha also set a new Zimbabwe national 100m record, eclipsing a long standing record set by Fabian Muyaba in June 1990. The athlete has also been named the Florida State University’s National Track Athlete of the Year.
Coventry and Makusha could be battling against three-time Comrades Marathon winner Stephen Muzhinji, chess grandmaster Robert Gwaze who all had phenomenal seasons to warrant nominations.
The Annual National Sports Awards are the premier brand of the Sports Commission and preparations for the ceremony set for December 15 are currently underway.
Sports Commission director-general Charles Nhemachena said they have tentatively set the unveiling of the shortlist for November 18.
“At the moment the preparations are still going on course. We had the nominations coming in and now we are expecting the adjudication committee to complete their reports by November 11.
“From there on we have planned the unveiling of the shortlist on November 18,” said Nhemachena. Nhemachena said they would have almost a month to invite the athletes, some of whom are dotted around the world.
“The date of the unveiling will give us at least a month to make contact with the nominees and make the necessary preparations. December 15 has been set as the date for the ceremony and the venue remains the Rainbow Towers,” said Nhemachema.
In future, Nhemachena said the Sports Commission could consider taking the awards ceremony to centres outside the capital if funding permits.
“We have always battled with the funding for the awards and taking them outside the capital will be a challenge. But with sufficient funding and resources we would like to take the ceremony to other centres because athletes are found across Zimbabwe.” said Nhemachena.
The Sports Commission have retained Delta as the principal sponsors for the ANSA while tennis star Cara Black is the reigning Sportsperson of the Year.
Online Reporter