Monday 30 March 2026
Siziba Thando
Sports reporter<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The wait is over for the country\u2019s finest sporting talents as the Zimbabwe Annual National Sports Awards (ZANSA) have officially unveiled the nominees for the 2025 edition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the nation\u2019s sporting fraternity set to gather for a glittering ceremony, the shortlist represents a stellar cross-section of excellence, ranging from tennis prodigies and cricketing heroes to para-athlete champions and historic rugby teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The race for the coveted Sportsperson of the Year crown is a three-way battle between athleticism, racquet skill, and cricketing brilliance. Athletics sensation Tadiwanashe Makarau, who also headlines the Sports Man of the Year category, will face stiff competition from cricketing stalwart Sikandar Raza and tennis star Sasha Chimedza, who is also a nominee for Sports Woman of the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tennis Dominates Individual Categories<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tennis Zimbabwe enjoys a strong presence in the senior women\u2019s category. Sasha Chimedza and Rutendo Tom will go head-to-head for the Sports Woman of the Year award, alongside strongwoman Chido Maenzanise, who represents the Strongman Federation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the men\u2019s equivalent, Makarau (Athletics) looks to outpace cricketer Sikandar Raza and karateka Wilfred Mashaya, who pulls double duty as a nominee for Coach of the Year for his work with the Zimbabwe Karate Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Celebrating Disability Sport<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The awards continue to highlight the depth of talent within the para-sport community. The Sports Woman of the Year with a Disability category features a trio of athletes from the National Paralympic Committee: Thandiwe Ndlovu, Stella Jongwe, and Moleen Majoni.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, the Sports Man of the Year with a Disability is dominated by Special Olympics Zimbabwe representatives, with Sellai Chiwisa, Simbarashe Mushayi, and Samson Muroyiwa all vying for the top honor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The future of Zimbabwean sport looks bright, with a packed list of junior nominees. In the Junior Sports Woman of the Year category, tennis player Ruvarashe Makunike faces off against swimmer Anje Van As (Zimbabwe Aquatics) and triathlete Rachel O\u2019Donoghue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Junior Sports Man of the Year category sees triathlete Zander Botha nominated alongside tennis player Joel Badza and cyclist Rohnan Nicholson. Botha\u2019s nomination here is particularly notable as he is also a contender for the overall Junior Sportsperson of the Year, competing against Makunike and Special Olympian Makanaka Kaiyo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sables and Chevrons Lead Team Honours<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the team disciplines, the Team of the Year award promises a fierce contest between three outfits that captured the nation\u2019s imagination. The historic Sables rugby side, fresh off their Africa Cup triumph, are nominated alongside the Chevrons Men\u2019s T20 Team (Zimbabwe Cricket) and the Hockey U21 Ladies team, who made their mark at the Junior World Cup qualifiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The coaching masterminds behind these teams are also up for recognition. Pieter Benade, who led the Sables to their first Africa Cup title in over a decade, is nominated for Coach of the Year alongside Justin Sammons (Zimbabwe Cricket) and karate\u2019s Wilfred Mashaya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Boxing and Officials Recognized<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pugilistic arts take center stage with specific awards for professional boxing. In the Outstanding Professional Female Boxer category, Tarisai Mutsau will battle Monica Mkandla, while the men\u2019s title will be contested by Tinashe Majoni, Ndabezinhle Phiri, and Beavan Sibanda. The Professional Boxing and Wrestling Promoter award is a two-horse race between Lindsay Earle and Prosper Chibaya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally, the unsung heroes of the game, the technical officials, receive their due recognition. Collen Jimu (NAAZ), Precious Pazani (ZRU), and Friedlander Kadzombe (Tennis Zimbabwe) are the nominees for Technical Official of the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The winners will be revealed at the official awards ceremony later this year, where Zimbabwe will celebrate a year of remarkable athletic achievement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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