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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
FOUR sports journalists will make up Zimbabwe’s media voting panel for the upcoming African Union Sports Council Region 5 Regional Annual Sports Awards (Rasa), whose winners will be announced on May 26.

Two print journalists, Sikhumbuzo Moyo from The Chronicle and Daily News’ Austin Karonga, as well as veteran broadcaster Steve Vickers from Star FM and ZBC’s Jonathan Marerwa were included in the panel for their widespread coverage of the various AUSC Region 5 sport codes.

They will vote for winners in different categories from a list of nominees from eight out of the 10 countries that make up Region 5.

“Kindly find attached the notification letter of your nomination by your country to be part of the Rasa 2018 Media Voting Panel,” wrote AUSC projects and marketing manager Siyabonga Sangweni.

AUSC chief executive officer Stanley Mutoya said the voting panel would be allocated 36 hours to cast their votes ahead of the awards night set for South Africa on May 26.

“The awards’ rulebook prescribes that members of the media, nominated by their country be part of the voting process for each category. An email will be sent to you with the profiles for each category nominees and you will be required to vote for the top three nominees per category based on the profiles. You will be allocated 36 hours to cast your vote and the system will automatically shut down once the period has lapsed,” said Mutoya.

The awards celebrate and recognise sports luminaries in 10 AUSC Region 5 member countries, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Kingdom eSwatini, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

All member countries’ national sports awards winners are automatically placed as Rasa nominees.

Presently, only eight member countries, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Kingdom eSwatini, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe host national sports awards.

Zimbabwe’s reigning Sportsperson of the Year, karateka Samson Muripo, headlines the country’s list of nominees.

Other Zimbabwean nominees are Helen Sinclair Costa (bodybuilding) the Sportswoman of the Year, Tanyaradzwa Muzinda (motorcross), the Junior Sportswoman of the Year, Margaret Bangajena (wheelchair racing), current Sportswoman with a Disability, and Elford Moyo (wheelchair racing), the Sportsman of the Year with a Disability.

RASA 2018 Nominees

Junior Sportsman of the Year
1. Teboho Lelimo, Chess, Lesotho.
2. Thandolwethu Motsa, Taekwondo, Kingdom eSwatini.
3. Delano Muller, Kickboxing, Namibia
4. Karabo Sibanda, Athletics, Botswana
5. Kennedy Luchembe, Athletics , Zambia

Junior Sportswoman of the Year
1. Tshegofatso Tsiang , Botswana
2. ‘Malillo Phera, Lesotho
3. Charlize Van Zyl, Namibia
4. Carlota Munave, Kingdom eSwatini
5. Lubuuto Bwalya, Zambia
6. Tanyaradzwa Muzinda, Zimbabwe

Sportsman of the Year
1. Ofentse Bakwadi, Botswana.
2. Peter Banda, Malawi.
3. Julius Indongo, Namibia,
4. Luvo Manyonga, South Africa.
5. Sibusiso Matsenjwa, Kingdom eSwatini.
6. Patson Daka, Football Zambia.
7. Elford Moyo, Zimbabwe.

Sportswoman of the Year
1. Onkemetse Francis, Botswana
2. Neheng Khatala, Lesotho.
3. Tabitha Chawinga, Malawi.
4. Helalia Johannes, Namibia,
5. Caster Semenya, South Africa.
6. Phumlile Ndzinisa, Kingdom eSwatini
7. Mupopo Kabange, Zambia
8. Helen Costa Sinclair, Zimbabwe

Sportsman of the Year with a Disability
1. Keatlaretse Mabote, Botswana
2. Johannes Nambala, Namibia.
3. Dyan Buis, South Africa.
4. Mcebo Dludlu, Kingdom eSwatini
5. Elford Moyo, Zimbabwe

Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability
1. Nonofo Zingwa, Botswana.
2. Lahja Ishitile, Namibia.
3. Illse Hayes, South Africa.
4. Phenduliwe Mavuso Kingdom eSwatini
5. Margaret Bangajena, Zimbabwe

Sports Team of the Year
1. Botswana 4 x 400 meters Men Relay, Athletics, Botswana
2. Namibian U20 National Team, Rugby, Namibia
3. Springbok Sevens Team, Rugby, South Africa
4. Sihlangu Semnikati – Football, Kingdom eSwatini
5. Zambia Football U20 National Team, Football, Zambia
6. Zimbabwe Rugby Sevens, Rugby, Zimbabwe

Coach of the Year
1. Mogomotsi Otsetswe, Botswana
2. Griffin Saenda Junior, Malawi.
3. Nestor Tobias, Namibia
4. Jean Verster, South Africa
5. Thabo Vilakati, Kingdom eSwatini.
6. Beston Chambeshi, Zambia

Journalist of the Year
1. Ramajake Monamane, Lesotho
2. OG Molefe, South Africa
3. Ntokozo Magongo,Kingdom eSwatini
4. Mathews Kabamba, Zambia

Sportsperson of the Year
1. Karabo Sibanda, Botswana.
2. Bernadetta Mzika, Malawi,
3. Luvo Manyonga, South Africa.
4. Tony Tsabedze,Kingdom eSwatini.
5. Samson Muripo, Zimbabwe