The Sunday Mail
DESPITE the sponsors of the Annual National Sports Awards reducing their budget for this year’s event, the custodians of the awards insist the event still occupies an important place on the national sporting calendar.
Delta Corporation have cut this year’s sponsorship from $50 000 to $30 000 .
The development will see foreign-based athletes not being bought air tickets to come for the event and the winner of the Sports Person of the Year award walking away with $5 000, a figure less than what the Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year will pocket.
The Soccer Star of the Year walks away with $6000.
However, Sports and Recreation Commission director Charles Nhemachena says the awards, which will be held in Harare on the 17th of this month, are not about money, but recognition of athletes.
Nhemachena disclosed that a constrained budget prohibits them from flying in foreign-based athletes for the event.
“This is a function of the budget,” he said. “We have to say do we want them to come and get nothing or rather they might not come, but still get their prize? Normally it is the sponsor’s’ duty to have these people around.
“But in the worst scenario, you would rather have them receive their awards and prize money and that is what we will try and do,” Nhemachena said.
Zimbabwe tennis ace Cara Black is in line to consolidate her status as a champion as she is in the running for a fifth Sports Person of the Year award in eight years.
The 35-year-old can becomes the first athlete to grab the accolade five times, having collected it in 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2013.
Also eyeing the award is 26-year-old boxer Charles Manyuchi, who claimed the World Boxing Council welterweight international title in March before successfully defending it a fortnight ago.
Wearing the underdog tag is long distance runner Rutendo Nyahora, who won the Old Mutual Westgate, Gutu Half Marathon and Vumba Mountain contests.
ANSA Nominees:
Sports Man of the year: Charles Manyuchi (boxing), Winston Nyanhete (karate), Scott Vincent (golf)
Junior sports woman of the year with a disability: Patricia Bhebhe (Athletics V.I: Visually Impaired), Talent Kasera (Athletics V.I), Ashley Matanhire Athletics (V.I)
Junior sports man of the year with a disability: Lovemore Chimufombo (Athletics V.I), Batanayi Muroyiwa (Athletics), Munyaradzi Musariri (Athletics)
Junior sportsman of the year: Cameron Kyle Hinde (rowing), Raphael Mukondiwa (karate), Michael Drew Williams (triathlon)
Junior Sports woman of the year: Cara Daniella Du Toit (rowing), Enrita Ncube (athletics), Rebekah Oberhoizer (BMX)
Sports woman of the year with a disability: Margaret bangajena (wheelchair racing), Magadaline Madzivire (wheelchair racing), Thandiwe Ndlovu (wheelchair racing)
Sports man of the year with a disability: Viren Mehta (intellectual golf), Elford Moyo (wheelchair racing), Samson Muroyiwa (wheelchair racing)
Team of the year: Davis Cup, Junior Golf, Zimbabwe Darts women national team
Coach of the year: Martin Dzuwa Davis Cup team), Dhlamini Mtonzima (darts), Phillip Tshuma (junior golf team)
Technical official of the year: Rick Fulton (triathlon), Joyce Muchenu (basketball), Patrick Mukondiwa (boxing)
Women in Sport Award: Eugenia Chidhakwa (tertiary sports), Ginny Rose (hockey), Lyn Joanne Swanepoel (rowing)
Sports Admnistration of the year: Basketball Union of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union, Zimbabwe Karate Union
Sport Development of the year: Bowls Zimbabwe, National Darts Association of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Karate Union.
