Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
SPORT, Recreation, Arts and Culture Minister Anselem Sanyatwe has urged national associations to strengthen their governance structures for the benefit of the sector.
Sanyatwe made the call at the Annual National Sports Awards 2025, held last Friday in Harare to celebrate and honour outstanding sports-persons, administrators and officials, among others.
The 2025 awards were held under the theme; “Upholding the Gold Standard.”
“To our sports associations and federations, I encourage you to continue strengthening governance. “Allow me to repeat. To our sports associations and federations, I encourage you to continue strengthening governance, accountability and professionalism.
“Strong institutions are the foundation of strong performance,” said Sanyatwe, who was the guest of honour at the awards ceremony. “We must all work together to ensure that sporting structures are credible, transparent and responsive to the needs of our athletes.”The minister emphasised the importance and need to support athletes throughout their sporting journey, not just when they win.
“To our young athletes, I say your journey begins with belief, but it must be sustained by discipline, sacrifice and hard work.
“Success in sport does not come overnight.
“It is built through hard work, persistent training, resilience in the face of setbacks and the courage to continue striv-ing for excellence.
“To our coaches and technical officers, the government acknowledges your critical role in shaping performance and the character of individuals,” Sanyatwe said. Cricketer, Sikandar Raza was the biggest winner of the night as he was crowned the Sports-person of the Year. Raza also got the Sportsman of the Year award ahead of sprinter Tapiwanashe Makarawu and martial artist Wilfred Mashaya. Rising tennis star Ruvarashe Makunike walked away with the Junior Sports-person of the Year and Junior Sports-woman of the Year accolades.
Makunike said: “I would like to thank Tennis Zimbabwe for preparing all the tournaments that led me to the stage.
“I mostly want to thank the Almighty for making this day possible.
“I would like to thank SRC for recognising me and giving me this opportunity to show people that if you follow your dreams and believe in them, they will come true.
“This achievement would not be possible without the people who believed in me and pushed me to do my best every day. Thank you for motivating me during both the good and difficult moments. This award inspires me to continue working hard, staying disciplined and always doing my best.
“To all young athletes out there, never stop believing in yourself because hard work and determination really pay off,” said Makunike.
Makunike is one of the five nominees from Zimbabwe that are up for the Regional Annual Sports Awards (RASA) scheduled for this coming Saturday in Luanda, Angola.
She was nominated for Junior Female Sportsperson of the Year. The nominees were announced recently by the African Union Sports Council Region 5.
ANSA Winners
Sports-person of the Year: Sikandar Raza
Junior Sportsperson of the Year: Ruvarashe Makunike
Sportsman of the Year: Sikandar Raza
Sportswoman of the Year: Sasha Chimedza
Junior Sportsman of the Year: Zander Botha
Junior Sportswoman of the Year: Ruvarashe Makunike
Junior Sportsman of the Year with a Disability:
Ryan Chigwedere
Junior Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability: Makanaka Kaiyo
Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability: Thandiwe Ndlovu
Sportsman of the Year with a Disability: Simbarashe Mashayi
Team of the Year: Rugby Senior Men’s Sables
Coach of the Year: Piet Benade
Sports Official of the Year (Technical or Administrative): Precious Pazani
Professional Boxing and Wrestling Promote of the Year: Lindsay Earle
Outstanding Professional Female Boxer: Tarisai Mutsau
Outstanding Professional Male Boxer: Ndabezinhle Phiri
Women in Sport Leadership: Kirsty Coventry
Sport Development Delivery Agency of the Year:
National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH)
Sport Journalist of the Year: Langton Nyakwenda
National Sports Association of the Year: Zimbabwe Cricket
Corporate Sponsor of the Year: Delta Beverages
Special Acknowledgement Award Investment in Sporting Infrastructure:
1. Shepherd Chahwanda Magodora
2. Scott Sakupwanya
3. Sakunda Holdings
4. Geo Pomona
5. Zimbabwe Cricket
6. West Property Holdings
7. Zimbabwe Lotteries and Gaming Board
The People’s Choice Award
Wilfred Mashaya
