Zimbabwe: The National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) is all set to hold its Athletes of the Year Awards on Friday, Jan 26, 2024, in Harare.
The president of NAAZ – Tendayi Tagara, confirmed the development and said that they are bringing back the awards, which were shelved for more than twenty years, as part of efforts to motivate their athletes.
Various sports stars and athletes are nominated to be rewarded as the Athlete of the Year; the list of the finalists consists of:
- Category: Junior Women
Athletes: Nontokozo Ncube, Kimberley Kachambwa and Samkeliso Ndebele - Category: Junior Men
Athletes: Shawn Katsidzira, Takunda Mhete and Samuel Dauti - Category: Senior Women
Athletes: Faith Nyathi, Ashley Miller and Vimbai Maisvorewa - Category: Senior Men
Athletes: Isaac Mpofu, Bradley Makuwire and Tapiwa Makarawu - Category: Coaches
Athletes: Cuthbert Nyasango, Brenda Lieppe and Silas Muringani - Category: Technical Officials
Athletes: Ottilia Kurebwaseka, Claris Gwata and Apinos Chiwara
The Annual National Sports Awards (ANSA) is organised to promote sporting excellence. The recognition aims to stimulate the development of athletes through sports. Its objective is to put Zimbabwe on the world map through sports and lift the human spirit through sports.
ANSA began as the Sportsperson of the Year Award, which was organised by the Sports Writers Association of Zimbabwe before being briefly discontinued.
The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) resuscitated the awards in 1998. The expanded ANSA is organised to honour and reward excellence and achievement by Zimbabwean sportspersons at various levels.
The SRC is the ultimate sports Authority in Zimbabwe tasked by an Act of Parliament to honour citizens who have made the nation proud by their participation in sports.
While pursuing its goals and paying homage and recognition to many sporting luminaries who represented the country, the SRC introduced ‘ANSA’.
The awards represent a pinnacle of talent, commitment, and competition among all people involved in sports in the country.
The main purpose of ANSA is to recognise, celebrate and reward top sports icons in Zimbabwe. The icons consisted would have performed exceptionally well at National, Regional, Continental and world championships.
The award recognises Athletes, Technical Officials, Coaches, and Teams that competed at the highest level of sports.