The 7th edition of the Regional Annual Sports Awards (RASA) concluded successfully on Saturday night at the International Conference Centre, Rainbow Towers in Harare, Zimbabwe.

The night belonged to Botswana’s sprint sensation Letsile Tebogo, who walked away with the prestigious Sportsman of the Year and overall Sportsperson of the Year awards.  His dominance continued as the Botswana men’s 4x100m relay team, of which he is a part, claimed the Team of the Year accolade. 

Tebogo was not present at the ceremony due to his participation in the Diamond League meeting in Rabat on Sunday. Namibia had three representatives among the finalists.  Para-athlete and Paris Paralympic gold medallist Lahja Ishitile was shortlisted in the Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability category.

Chris Kinda was a finalist in the Sportsman of the Year with a Disability category. 

Sports journalist Limba Mupetami was nominated in the Sports Journalist of the Year category. 

Unfortunately, none of the Namibian nominees clinched awards on the night.

Namibia’s sports minister Sanet Steenkamp, who attended the event, urged governments in the region to increase investments in athlete development. 

Speaking in her capacity as chairperson of the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Council of Ministers, she commended Zimbabwe for its warm hospitality and hosting a “truly memorable and exceptional event”. “This is a clear testament to Zimbabwe’s unwavering belief in the power of sport as a tool for transformation, unity and pride,” she said.

Steenkamp called on Region 5 member states to shift from event-based support to more sustainable development structures in sport.

“Let us move from event-based support to sustainable, structured pathways that produce world-class talent with character, purpose and staying power,” she urged. She paid tribute to Zimbabwean Olympic legend Kirsty Coventry, recently elected as the first African and first female president of the International Olympic Committee.

“Coventry embodies the excellence we aspire to,” Steenkamp stated, encouraging her to “continue to champion Region 5 as a model for inclusive, sustainable and people-centred sports development”.

In closing, she congratulated all nominees, saying, “You are already winners. Your journey to this moment is a victory in itself”. 

-lmupetami@nepc.com.na

List of all the winners:

Sportsman of the year: Letsile Tebogo – track and field (Botswana) 

Sportswoman of the year: Tabitha Chawinga – football (Malawi) 

Junior women’s sportsperson of the year: Mercy Chipasula – football (Zambia)

Junior men’s sportsperson of the year: Collen Kebinatschipi – track and field (Botswana)

Sportswoman of the year with a disability: Simone Kruger – track and field (South Africa)

Sportsman of the year with a disability: Mpumelelo Mhlongo – track and field (South Africa)

Team of the year: Botswana 4 x 100 men’s relay (Botswana)

Coach of the year: Kebonyemodisa Mosimanyane – track and field (Botswana)

Country of the year: Zimbabwe