The 20th annual Namibia Sports Awards (NASA) is set to take place this Saturday, with Lahja Ishitile tipped to dominate. 

The prestigious awards will take place at the dazzling Windhoek Country Club and Casino.

Among the many exciting categories, the spotlight shines brightest on the coveted Sportsperson of the Year, with four standout athletes vying for the title: Ishitile, Alex Miller, Lionel Coetzee and Janie Meuwessen.

Sportsperson of the Year contenders

Ishitile (Para-athletics)

After her exceptional performance at the Paralympics, where she clinched gold and bronze medals, Ishitile has solidified her position as one of Namibia’s top athletes. 

This year, she clinched gold in the women’s 400 metres (m) T11 event with her guide Sem Shimanda, setting a new Paralympic record of 56.20 seconds. 

She also brought home a bronze medal in the 200m T11, cementing her position as a world-class para-athlete.

Having won the Sportswoman with Disability award multiple times, her determination and skill continue to inspire both disabled and able-bodied athletes across Namibia. 

Her stellar record this year makes her a top contender for the Sportsperson of the Year title. 

In an interview yesterday, she said she feels she has worked hard this year. 

“We put in so much work with my team, and the results came out. I believe winning the awards this year will fulfil all my goals for this year. My team has really pushed me to go beyond,” she said. 

Alex Miller (Cycling)

Alex Miller continued with his dominance locally as he successfully defended Nedbank Namibia XC1 UCI title. 

He was one of the four (4) athletes to represent Namibia at this year’s Paris Olympics. 

His recent Olympic appearances, coupled with his national and international successes, have undoubtedly elevated Namibian cycling to new heights. 

His consistent performance and dedication to the sport have positioned him as a strong contender for the Sports Star of the Year award.

Lionel Coetzee (Long jump)

Coetzee has had a groundbreaking year in athletics. 

The long jumper claimed silver at this year’s 23rd African Athletics Senior Championships in Douala, Cameroon. 

Last year, he achieved a huge milestone as he broke a decade-long national record with a leap of 8.27m at the Independence Stadium. 

As the first Namibian to compete in the prestigious Golden Fly Series, where he emerged victorious, Coetzee has elevated Namibian athletics to new heights.

Janie Meuwessen (Archery)

Janie Meuwessen, an accomplished archer, has consistently delivered stellar performances. Known for his precision and composure, he has secured significant victories in national and international competitions this year.

Late last year (November), he broke two national records 295/300 and 588/600 in the World Archery Indoor Championship held at Swakopmund from 16 to 17 December, where he clinched a gold medal. He also shot a Namibian National Field Championship record of 556/560 in a field round earlier this year in Windhoek, where the veteran shooter bagged gold in that respective competition. 

Additionally, he won a bronze medal at the South Africa Target Nationals in Johannesburg in March this year. 

Another huge highlight for the shooter was when he finished second at the World Field Archery in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil. Reacting to his nomination, the seasoned shooter said “It will be such a big honour and privilege to be awarded the top achievement for a sportperson in our country”.

Another exciting category to look out for on the night is the Junior Sports Star of the Year. This category promises intense competition, with standout performances from Jessica Humphrey (Swimming).

  Earlier this year, she managed to scoop a bronze medal at this year’s African Games in Accra, Ghana. 

Dawid Blaauw (Gymnastics) 

Blaauw dominated the proceedings at this year’s African Gymnastics Championship, where she clinched the top prize at the prestigious event.

Jansen van Vuuren (Mountain biking)

Van Vuuren secured two gold medals at the African Championships in Casablanca, Morocco, earlier this year.

This is a huge feat, given that it was her first year.

Maja Brinkmann (Triathlon)

In August 2023, Brinkmann won a bronze medal in the Youth Commonwealth Games, marking the beginning of her international success. Following this, she made history by becoming the first Namibian female to win a gold medal in the Africa Triathlon Championships in Egypt in October 2023. This historic achievement not only cemented her as a top contender but also made her the first Namibian woman to qualify for and represent Namibia in the World Triathlon Championships in October 2024.

In 2024, she showcased her dominance by winning the Namibian National Junior Triathlon Championships in Windhoek. 

In April 2024, she secured third place in the Africa Triathlon Championships in Egypt, earning her a coveted spot at the World Championships in Torremolinos, Spain in October 2024. 

She is the first-ever Namibian female triathlete to qualify and compete at the World Championships.

This year’s event will be different, as Namibia Sports Commission chief administrator Freddy Simataa Mwiya this month revealed that the Wall of Fame will award three retired athletes. 

“Those who have retired, and even those who have passed on, we also need to recognise them,” he said.

He noted that awards are meant to recognise those who have achieved and contributed to sport in Namibia.

Lifetime Achievement Award, Sports Star of the Year, Professional Athlete of the Year in Diaspora and Chairperson’s Award will also be presented on the night. 

The full nominees are:

Best Sportswoman

Vera Looser (Cycling), Abraham Ester (Wrestling) and Helalia Johannes (Athletics)

Best Sportsman

Jannie Meuwesen (Archery), Stephanus Marais (Shooting), Adrian van der Pas (Ice/Inline Hockey) and Alexander Miller (Cycling)

Best Sportswoman with Disability 

Lahja Ishitile (Para-athletics) and Johanna Benson (Para-athletics)

Best Sportsman with Disability 

Ananias Shikongo (Para-athletics), Chris Kinda (Para-athletics), Johannes Nambala (Para-athletics) and Petrus Karuli (Para-athletics)

Best Junior Sportsman 

Roger Suren (Cycling) and Magano Naseb (Athletics)

Best Junior Sportswoman

Jessica Humphrey (Aquatics Sports), Maya Brinkmann (Triathlon), Jessica Blaauw (Gymnastics) and Delsia Jansen van Vuuren (Cycling)

Best Junior Sportswoman with Disability

Lahja Ipinge (Para-athletics), Veronica Kasolola (Para-athletics) and Namasiku van der Linden (Para-swimming)

Best Junior Sportsman with Disability 

Zekka Chikumba (Para-athletics), David Isack (Para-athletics) and Amavila Shapumba (Para-athletics)

Best Team 

Namibia Aquatic team, Ice and Inline Hockey Senior Men’s team, Open Hunting Rifle Shooting team and Namibia Precision Rifle Association team

Best Umpire/Referee

Antsino Twanyanyukwa (Football), Helmut Mack (Cricket) and Shivolo Trefina (Boxing)

Best Coach 

Nadia Schmidt (Ice and inline hockey), Letu Hamhola (Athletics/Para-athletics), T’Niel Young (Paralympics) and Vesselin Kostin (Gymnastics)

Sports Star 

Alexander Miller (Cycling), Chenoult Lionel Coetzee (Athletics), Jannie Meuwesen (Archery) and Lahja Ishitile (Para-athletics)

Community Inspiration 

Delano Muller, Richard Frankle and Aroab Football Academy

Best Development Project 

NCF/RMB Kids on Bikes Programme, NFA Development Programme and Standard Bank Junior Hockey Initiative 

Federation of the Year 

Cricket Namibia and Namibia Rugby Union

Sport Journalist of the Year(Broadcasting) 

Michael Ditu (NBC), Terence Mukasa (One Africa Television) and Strauss Lunyangwe (New Era)

Sport Journalist of the Year (Print)

Strauss Lunyangwe (New Era) and Mariud Ngula (SportWrap)

Sport journalist of the Year (Digital) 

Brian Munango (Namibia Media Holdings), Tangi Muludu (Twaindila Media) and Strauss Lunyangwe (New Era).

– mkambukwe@nepc.com.na