Vusumuzi Dube
Ellina Mhlanga, Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOR rising cricket star Kelis Ndhlovu, winning the Junior Sportsperson and Junior Sportswoman of the Year at the 2024 Annual National Sports Awards is a sign of bigger things to come.
Some of the highlights of her 2024 season included being part of the Lady Chevrons side that won gold at the 13th African Games in Ghana, where she was named Player of the Series. She also made the International Cricket Council (ICC) top 20 all-rounders ranking.
“I want to thank God because I am actually a living testimony. My life is like a testimony. It’s been God’s work for me to be where I am right now.
“I believe I have a bright future and it all takes determination and hard work.
“I am going to work hard and keep believing in what I believe in and do what I can because I believe in myself, as I know I can do more than I am doing right now,” said the 19-year-old.
The Ansa (Annual National Sports Awards) is the country’s premier recognition platform for sporting excellence, celebrating outstanding achievements by athletes, teams, coaches, administrators and media personnel who have raised the nation’s sporting flag high. The last edition of the awards was held in 2020, before the Covid-19 pandemic. This year’s awards were held under the theme: “Setting the Gold Standard.”
In video messages, Sportswoman of the Year Paige Van der Westhuizen (swimming) and Junior Sportsman of the Year David Nyamufarira (athletics), expressed their gratitude for coming out on top at the national awards. UK-based Van der Westhuizen was in France for the Olympic Games last year. She was a member of the 4x100m relay freestyle team that won bronze at the African Games, among other achievements.
“I am so grateful to be receiving it and honoured.
“I have worked so hard these past couple of years to get to the level I am at and, worked so hard to get to Paris.
“And I am so glad that I am being recognised for it, and I appreciate this so much.
“I would like to thank everyone back home for the support they gave me in Paris,” said Van der Westhuizen. She paid tribute to her parents and coaches for the sacrifices they have made to support her journey, as well as the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee and the Sports and Recreation Commission.
“I couldn’t have done it without you.
“And I hope to continue and make Zimbabwe proud in the next four years leading up to the LA 2028 Olympics.”
Her mother, Kim Van der Westhuizen, received the award on her behalf.
Nyamufarira, who joined New Mexico Junior College on an athletics scholarship last year, said: “Winning this award means so much to me. It’s a reflection of hard work, dedication, and also support from my coaches, my teammates and my family.
“I am truly honoured and grateful for this recognition, and this is just the beginning.
“And thank you to everyone who believed in me,” Nyamufarira said.
Kudakwashe Chigwedere and Tinotenda Bango walked away with the Sportsman with a Disability and Sportswoman with a Disability awards, respectively. The two represented the country at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
“I think the first thing that comes to mind is, two years ago, if someone told me that I would be here and that I would actually be the winner of this award, I wouldn’t have believed them.
“I am very grateful to everyone who supported me, especially the ZNPC and everyone else who was involved, from training to the competitions.
“I am grateful to be the recipient of the awards,” Chigwedere said.
Bango was also a happy athlete to have been recognised and honoured.
“I am delighted that I have won an award today. I never expected that I would win awards someday.
“As someone with a disability, it was tough for me – people used to laugh at me when I tried my hand at sport.
“But I want to thank my mother for supporting me all the way up until now, to be where I am and to win this award.
“I just want to encourage people with disabilities to pursue whatever talent they have.
“As a society, let’s encourage and support people with disabilities to pursue their talents,” said Bango.
Warriors’ Khama Billiat won the People’s Choice Award, ahead of 14 other nominees. This was the first time fans were able to vote for their favourite athlete.
In his welcome remarks, Sports and Recreation Commission chairperson Gerald Mlotshwa said: “For us at the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC), the Annual National Sports Awards are not just a ceremony.
“They mean more than the ambience, the glamour and the physical spectacle.
“They represent the power of dedication, discipline and dreams.
“These awards symbolise the highest recognition of sporting excellence in Zimbabwe, honouring those who have raised our flag high on local, regional and international stages.”
The glamorous awards were graced by various sports stakeholders, including government officials, sportspeople, representatives from sponsors and SRC partners. Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Minister Anselem Sanyatwe, was the guest of honour and was accompanied by his wife. Deputy Minister Emily Jesaya, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Nicholas Moyo, Director of Sport and Recreation Eugenia Chidhakwa, SRC Chairman Gerald Mlotshwa, board members, Director-General Eltah Nengomasha, Zimbabwe Olympic Committee President Thabani Gonye, CEO Marlene Gadzirayi, and Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board Chairperson Vee Chibanda, were also among the guests.
African Union Sports Council Region Five Chief Executive Stanley Mutoya, was also present and received the Special Acknowledgement Award for the Promotion of Sport Diplomacy and Positive Profiling of Zimbabwe Sport.
Online Reporter