24 May 2015

Nijel Amos scooped the biggest award as athletics exerted dominance on the 2015 Botswana National Sports Council Awards on Saturday (May 23) night.

The world 800 metre sensation was named as the Sports Person of the Year as well as the Sports Man of the Year in a glittering ceremony held at Gaborone International Convention Centre. Amos beat fellow athlete Baboloki Thebe and Pearl Morake of boxing for the Sports Person award which was sponsored by Debswana for P70 000.

The 21-year-old from Marobela also won the Sport Man award ahead of Kagiso Bagwasi of boxing and Thato Olebile of chess. Amos’ achievements over the past year include three gold medals at the Africa Senior Championships in Morocco in 800m, 400m and 4x400m relay.

He also won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games and the 2014 Diamond League. The jubilant Amos credited his former coach at McConnell College, Kereleng Mafefe, for his achievement on the track.

He said he could have not achieved his global success had his former teacher not advised him to quit 5 000m and 3 000m and focus on 800m. “This award makes me look back at where it started. For me to be matching the world in racing 800m, he is a man who took the risk on me.He said Nijel you are quitting 5 000 and 3 000. You are focussing on 800.  He took the risk and now this is the future,” Amos said in tribute to the former coach, whom he said continues to support him up to this day.

Pearl Morake of boxing won the Sports Woman of the Year Award, beating other nominees Onkemetse Francis of chess and Lydia Jele of athletics. Athletics was the dominant code as it received six of the 15 awards on offer.

The national 4 by 400 relay team was named the team of the year, Baboloki Thebe got the junior male award, Justice Dipeba got the best coach award, and Karabo Sibanda got the chairman’s award.

Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Thapelo Olopeng said most of the athletes have potential to be the best in the world.

He appealed to businesses to invest more money in sports so that athletes can realise that immense natural potential and be world beaters. Botswana National Sports Council chairperson, Solly Reikeletseng said his dream is to see sports turned into a big industry and many athletes making a living out of their talent.

The awards ceremony were also graced by the mayor of Gaborone City Kagiso Thutlwe.

 Other winners were as follows:

Sports Code of the Year: Cricket

Group Code award: Botswana Primary Schools Sports Association

Junior Female award: Keamogetse Kenosi of boxing

Sports Administrator award: Keenese Katisenge of chess

Umpire/ Referee award: Charles Mosokomane of tennis

Non-Citizen award: Mervin Mitchell of bowling

Chairman’s award - Ofentse Nato of football

People’s choice award - Karate male kata team

Best Photographer award - Thompson Keobaletswe of Botswana Press Agency

Best print journalist award - Lucretia Chima of Kutlwano Magazine

Best print media house award - The Voice newspaper

Best electronic journalist award - Mpho Aaron of Botswana Television

Best electronic media award - Yarona FM

Ends