Manyonga, Caster bag major awards

SOUTH AFRICAN and Botswanan athletes scooped top honours at the 3rd AU Regional Annual Sports Awards (RASA) at the Birchwood Hotel in Ekurhuleni on Saturday night.

Botswana’s 400m sprinter Karabo Sibanda was the night’s biggest winner. The 19-year-old raced past South Africa’s Luvo Manyongo and Zimbabwe’s Samson Muripo to win the Sportsperson of the Year award. He also took the junior Sportsman of the Year gong.

Although Sibanda could not attend the award ceremony because he was competing in Europe, his coach, Mogomotsi Otsetswe, was on hand to accept the award on his behalf.

“I’m so thrilled. This is the greatest achievement so far for him. Being among the best in the region means a lot. He’s an obedient athlete and always willing to learn.

“He gives his all and he’s easy to work with. In the next three years, he will be one of the best athletes on the continent – and probably in the world,” said Otsetswe.

World and Commonwealth long jump sensation Luvo Manyonga bagged the Sportsman of the Year award, while 800m world champion Caster Semenya walked away with the Sportswoman of the Year accolade. Neither athlete was in attendance, as they were competing abroad.

South Africa once again cleaned up, winning five awards in the 12 categories. After taking home the Sportswoman of the Year with Disability award, former Paralympian Ilse Hayes said: “I retired last year and this is like a cherry on top. What a great way to end my career. I’m very grateful that all the hard work has paid off. These awards are a great initiative, as we connect as Africans.”

Under the theme “Celebrating Excellence, Inspiring Innovation”, RASA recognised athletes who had exceptionally represented the continent internationally.

AU Sport Council executive officer Stanley Mutoya said the body wanted to use sport to achieve peace, integration, and unity on the continent. He said the AU was constitutionally mandated to nurture and celebrate local talent. “We want to see winners going back to their communities to assist young, aspiring athletes,” he said.

South African Sport and Recreation Minister Toko Xasa said RASA helped promote social cohesion and build unity in the region.

Botswana took the Country of the Year award.

Other winners included SA’s Jean Venter, who was crowned Coach of the Year, Zimbabwe’s Elford Moyo for Sportsman of the Year with Disability, eNCA’s OG Molefe for Journalist of the Year, Zambia’s under-20 national team as the Sports Team of the Year, and the Athletic Confederation, which was named Federation of the Year.

The AU Sport Council aims to encourage and promote development of all sporting codes in the Southern African Development Community region.