Who is the numero uno?

Tinashe Kusema-Zimpapers Sports Hub

AS the Annual National Sports Awards (ANSA) gala beckons, excitement and tension is mounting not only among for the finalists, but the organisers as well.

After a week-long delay, the gala breathes into life this evening at the Casino Marina at Harare’s Longcheng Plazza.

“As with any major event, in the build-up to it, actors, athletes and everybody who has to get onto a stage will tell you that nerves come with the territory,” said Sport and Recreation Commission media manager Arthur Choga.

“There are bound to be nerves but we are confident that we confident that we are going to put on a show.”

This year’s event promises to be a very compelling event.

Among those a shoo-in to walk the podium are the Zimbabwe Sables and their coach Piet Benade.

The two are nominated for the Team and Coach-of-the Year.

Zimbabwe rugby had a huge moment last year, successfully defending their Africa Cup title in Uganda and qualifying for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

The Sables will be up against the Zimbabwe Chevrons and the Under-21 ladies hockey team.

The Chevrons had a near flawless campaign to qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup that was held in India and Sri Lanka back in February.

Sadly, their exploits at the World Cup tournament are not included in their case as they fell outside the ANSA window period which is January to December 2025.

The Chevrons made it to the Super Eight stage of the competition with Brian Bennett and Blessing Muzarabani among the top performers.

At the World Cup, Zimbabwe beat Australia, co-hosts Sri Lanka and Oman, while their match against Ireland was abandoned due to weather without a ball being bowled.

It was the same scenario which has prevented Zimbabwe’s 4×400 metre relay team from contention.

Gerren Muwishi, Dennis Hove, Leeford Zuze and Thandazani Ndhlovu had a good start to the 2026 season where they qualified for the World Athletics Relay Championships in Gaborone, Botswana.

Another athlete, Tapiwanashe Makarawu, is the reigning Sportsperson of the Year.