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THE African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region Five Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Mutoya, will visit Zimbabwe from tomorrow until March 29 as part of ongoing preparations for the prestigious Regional Annual Sports Awards (Rasa, scheduled to take place on May 24, 2025.

Mutoya’s visit will focus on assessing Zimbabwe’s readiness to host the event, which celebrates sporting excellence across Southern Africa. During the three-day engagement, Zimbabwean authorities will present a comprehensive State of Readiness Report, outlining logistical, infrastructural, and operational plans for the successful hosting of Rasa 2025.

The itinerary will also include a site inspection of the proposed Rasa venue, allowing the AUSC Region Five delegation to evaluate facilities and ensure compliance with the region’s hosting standards.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Mutoya emphasised the importance of collaboration and high standards in delivering a world-class awards ceremony. “Rasa is more than just a celebration of athletic talent — it is a platform that unites the region through sport and excellence,” Mutoya said.

“Our visit to Zimbabwe is aimed at ensuring all preparations are on track for what promises to be a memorable event.”

Zimbabwe will host the Rasa for the first time since its inception in 2016. The Regional Annual Sports Awards (Rasa) were established to recognise and celebrate sporting excellence within the 10 AUSC Region Five Member States under the theme, “Celebrating Excellence, Inspiring Innovation.” The awards honour outstanding athletes, coaches and sports administrators who have excelled at national and international levels.

The International Olympic Committee President designate, Kirsty Coventry, was the inaugural Sportswoman of the Year in 2016, while South Africa’s Wayde Van Niekerk was Sportsperson of the Year in both 2016 and 2017. Other winners of the Sportsperson of the Year awards include Karabo Sibanda (2018), Caster Semenya (2019), Andile Dlamini (2023), and Letsile Tebogo (2024).

The Rasa was not held from 2020 to 2022 due to Covid-19, which brought global sport to a halt.
The Rasa was established to achieve several objectives, including promoting the role of sport in regional integration and development. It also serves to encourage excellence and fair play across all levels of sport while recognising the achievements of individuals and teams that have raised the profile of sport in the region. The Rasa is designed to inspire youth participation in sport and physical activity.

Since its inception, Rasa has played a pivotal role in uplifting the status of sport across Southern Africa. It offers a prestigious platform for showcasing talent and fosters unity among member states through the shared celebration of sporting success. The event also stimulates investment in sports infrastructure, development programmes and youth engagement initiatives.

By hosting the 2025 edition of the Rasa, Zimbabwe stands to benefit from several opportunities. The Rasa 2025 presents Zimbabwe with a unique opportunity to showcase its hospitality, organisational capacity and world-class sporting infrastructure. The event also provides an opportunity to boost tourism and the local economy through increased regional traffic and media exposure.

It is envisaged that by hosting the RASAasa, Zimbabwe will strengthen its position as a hub for regional and international sporting events, inspiring young Zimbabweans by bringing regional sporting heroes closer to home. Mutoya emphasised the importance of readiness and collaboration in preparing to host the event.

“Rasa is a symbol of unity, excellence and progress in sport. Zimbabwe’s hosting of the 2025 edition is not only a vote of confidence but also a chance to leave a lasting legacy for sport in the country. Our mission during this visit is to ensure everything is on track for a successful and impactful event.”

The 2025 ceremony is expected to attract high-profile dignitaries, elite athletes, and sports stakeholders from across Southern Africa.

The Rasa was first held in South Africa in 2016. The Rasa is one of the four programmes under the Region Five Rewards Programme, alongside the Ten-Year Service Awards, which are conferred to members who have served the Region for 10 continuous years, and the Medals of Honour, awarded to deserving individuals and organisations every two years on the margins of the Region Five Youth Games. There is also the Sports Hall of Fame, in which distinguished retired figures are inducted for lifelong remembrance.

After the Covid-19 pandemic, the Rasa resumed with Eswatini staging the event in 2023, while Zambia was the host for 2024.