The African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 on Monday announced the top three finalists for the Regional Annual Sports Awards (RASA), marking another milestone in the region’s annual celebration of sporting excellence, leadership, resilience and impact.
The prestigious awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on 23 May in Luanda, Angola, where the region’s finest athletes, journalists and sports personalities will be honoured for excellence over the past year.
RASA remains one of AUSC Region 5’s flagship platforms for recognising merit, rewarding excellence and celebrating individuals and institutions shaping the future of sport across Southern Africa.
Speaking after the announcement, AUSC Region 5 chief executive officer Stanley Mutoya said the finalists reflect the depth, competitiveness and growing international quality of sport in the region.
“To reach the RASA top three is to stand among the best in Southern African sport. These finalists represent more than performance; they represent discipline, national pride, sacrifice, innovation and the power of sport to inspire communities across our region,” said Mutoya.
He added that RASA is not merely an awards platform, but a regional statement of excellence.
“It tells our athletes, coaches, administrators, journalists and teams that their work is seen, their contribution matters, and their achievements form part of a bigger African sporting legacy,” he said.
The finalists will now proceed to the next stage of the RASA journey, with the winners set to be announced at the official awards ceremony.
The top three announcements reinforce the strength of sport across AUSC Region 5 and highlight the importance of structured national and regional recognition systems in building world-class sporting pathways.
The finalists also reflect the diversity of Southern African sport, ranging from athletics, football and cycling to para-sport, coaching, journalism and team performance.
AUSC Region 5 congratulated all finalists, member states, national sport structures, federations, coaches, families, sponsors and communities that continue to support sporting excellence across the region.
“Every finalist announced today carries a national flag, but together they carry the promise of a stronger sporting future for Southern Africa,” said Angola’s national director of sport, Matos Cardoso.
Namibia will have strong representation at the upcoming RASA 2026 awards, with four distinguished personalities earning nominations for their outstanding achievements and contributions to sport.
Leading the Namibian contingent is celebrated cyclist Vera Looser, who has been nominated for Sportswoman of the Year following another remarkable season on the international stage. Looser continues to raise Namibia’s flag high through her consistent performances in endurance cycling competitions worldwide, cementing her reputation as one of the country’s most accomplished athletes.
Paralympic sprinter Ananias Shikongo has been nominated for Sportsman of the Year with Disability. Shikongo, one of Namibia’s most decorated para-athletes and a multiple Paralympic medallist, remains an inspiration through his resilience, dedication and achievements on the track.
His nomination once again highlights Namibia’s growing influence in the para-sport regionally and internationally.
In boxing, unbeaten Namibian boxer Fillipus Nghitumbwa, popularly known as “Energy”, received a nomination for Sportsman of the Year. Nghitumbwa has enjoyed an impressive rise in professional boxing, delivering strong performances and establishing himself as one of Namibia’s brightest boxing prospects.
His nomination follows a series of notable victories that have elevated his standing in African boxing circles.
Also earning regional recognition is New Era senior sports journalist Limba Mupetami, who has been nominated in the Sports Journalist of the Year category. Mupetami has consistently covered a wide range of sporting disciplines in Namibia, including football, boxing, athletics, netball and Paralympic sport, while also highlighting challenges and developments within the country’s sporting structures.
The nomination recognises her dedication to sports reporting and storytelling.
The RASA Awards celebrate sporting excellence across Southern Africa and bring together athletes, administrators, media practitioners and stakeholders from across the region. Namibia’s four nominations reflect the country’s continued growth and impact in sport, both on and off the field.
The awards ceremony in Angola is expected to attract some of the continent’s leading sporting figures as the region gathers to honour exceptional performances and contributions to the development of sport.
Speaking on her third RASA nomination, Mupetami said it is an honour to once again represent both Namibia and the region.
“It is truly an honour to be nominated once again for the Regional Annual Sports Awards (RASA). As a Namibian sports journalist, I take great pride in representing my country and the region at large among some of the finest sports media professionals. This recognition motivates me to continue telling the stories of our athletes and showcasing Namibian sport and the region on a bigger stage,” she said.
-hnalupe@nepc.com.na