dyton mupawaenda
Ellina Mhlanga –Zimpapers Sports Hub
RISING cricket sensation Kelis Ndhlovu has every reason to celebrate after scooping both the Junior Sportsperson of the Year and Junior Sportswoman of the Year accolades at the 2024 Annual National Sports Awards (ANSA) on Sunday, an achievement she believes is just the beginning of greater things to come.
The 19-year-old all-rounder was a standout performer in 2024, playing a pivotal role in the Lady Chevrons’ historic gold medal triumph at the 13th African Games in Ghana, where she was named Player of the Series.
Her exploits also saw her break into the top 20 of the ICC all-rounders’ rankings, further cementing her status as one of Zimbabwe’s brightest cricket prospects. Reflecting on her journey, a grateful Ndhlovu credited her success to faith, perseverance, and self-belief.
“I want to thank God because I am a living testimony. My life itself is a testimony – it’s been His work that has brought me this far. I believe I have a bright future, and it all comes down to determination and hard work.”
“I’m going to keep pushing, keep believing, and keep improving because I know I can achieve even more than what I have done so far,” she added.
The ANSA, are the country’s premier recognition platform for sporting excellence, celebrating outstanding achievements of 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 gratitude coming out tops 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 picked 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 that 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 that they gave me in Paris,” said Van der Westhuizen.
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 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 award 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 I would actually be the winner of this award I wouldn’t believe them.
“I am very grateful to everyone who supported me especially the ZNPC and everyone else who was involved from training to the competitions,” 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,” said Bango.
Warriors’ Khama Billiat got the People’s Choice Award ahead of 14 other nominees. This was the first the time having the fans voting 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 that the ambiance, the glamour, and the physical spectacle. They are a representation of 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.”
Sunday’s event also paid tribute to the 2023 winners. The glamorous awards were graced by various sport stakeholders including government officials, sportspersons, 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 and director sport and recreation Eugenia Chidhakwa, SRC board members and director-general Eltah Nengomasha, Zimbabwe Olympic Committee president Thabani Gonye and chief executive officer Marlene Gadzirayi and Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board chairperson Vee Chibanda were among the guests.
African Union Sports Council Region 5 chief executive Stanley Mutoya was also present, and he got the Special Acknowledgement Award for the Promotion of Sport Diplomacy and Positive Profiling Zimbabwe Sport.
Online Reporter