Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TWO Zimbabwean athletes, a coach and a journalist, yesterday made the short-list in five of the 10 competitive categories for this year’s Regional Annual Sports Awards (RASA) to be held in Harare on May 24.
The nominations, which were derived from the 2024 Annual National Sports-persons Awards (ANSA), also included Zimpapers Sports Hub’s Ellina Mhlanga, who was nominated for the regional Sports Journalist of the Year award.
Reigning ANSA Coach of the Year Piet Benade of the rugby Sables has also been nominated.
But United States-based Olympian Tapiwanashe Makarawu stands-out with a double nomination for the RASA Sportsman of the Year and Sports-person of the Year awards.
The 24-year-old sprinter recently made history by walking away with both the 2024 Sportsman of the Year and overall Sports-person of the Year accolades at the domestic ANSA awards.
Makarawu, along with another US-based sprinter, Makanakaishe Charamba, made history when they reached the final of the 200m race at the 2024 Olympics Games.
His sixth-place finish in that final was a milestone for Zimbabwean athletics. Makarawu also had a silver medal at the African-Senior Championships in Douala, Cameroon and had a string of sub-21-second runs in the 200m event across competitive meets in the US circuit.
Also up for recognition is emerging cricketer Kellis Ndhlovu, who has been short-listed for the Junior Sportswoman of the Year award.
Some of the highlights for 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.
Ndhlovu made the International Cricket Council (ICC) top 20 all-rounders ranking and then capped the year by scooping both the Junior Sports-person of the Year and Junior Sportswoman of the Year accolades at the 2024 ANSA.
Sables mentor Benade also made the RASA shortlist in recognition of his efforts after leading the Sables to glory in Uganda last year, where they claimed the Rugby Africa Cup, ending a 12-year jinx.
He is the reigning ANSA Coach of the Year.
RASA is organised by the Africa Union Sports Council Region 5 to motivate member states, sports confederations, team sports, and individual athletes by recognising and celebrating meritorious service and outstanding achievements in sport.
The Awards is a culmination of all the Member countries’ awards. Member countries in the region promote and celebrate sports by hosting their domestic national awards, which means the RASA is a selection of the best from the best.
Zimbabwe will host the awards ceremony for the first time this year, with President Mnangagwa expected to be the guest of honour.
Zimbabwe’s RASA nominations:
Junior Sportswoman of the Year: Kellis Ndlovu
Coach of the Year: Pieter Benade
Sports Journalist of the Year: Ellina Mhlanga
Sportsman of the Year: Tapiwanashe Makarawu
Sportsperson of the Year: Tapiwanashe Makarawu
