21 Jul 2020

The Department of Information Services scooped Media House of the Year Award while its reporter, Anastacia Sibanda, was crowned UB Female Sports Journalist of the year recently.

The UB sports awards celebrated students who excelled in various sporting codes and also recognised the media for informing the nation on such events.

Bakang Tiro of the Patriot newspaper walked away with the male reporter of the year. The winners were awarded trophies and certificates.

In the club of the year award, there were two categories; female and male. Under female category, the nominees were UB Kicks Football Club, UB Relics Basketball Club as well as UB Giants Softball Club while the male category was made up of UB Athletics Club, UB Relics Basketball Club and UB Hawks Football Club.

UB Kicks won the female category while the male’s category went to athletics club. Winner of team of the year award was netball and under male category volleyball emerged victorious.

Sports person with disability award was won by Kesaobaka Mathiba (swimming), sportswoman of the year went to Motlatsi Rante (athletics) and sportsman of the year was Cliffton Meshack (athletics). Meshack also won sports star of the year award.

Other award winners included Sekgabo Seselamarumo for UB sports leadership, sports volunteer of the year award went to Oratile Kgokong, Anthony Akpata was crowned volunteer coach of the year while most improved club  went to the university’s swimming club.

Chess club was awarded the most improved team, while Motlatsi Ranthe of athletics won best freshman – female, with best freshman male was awarded to Kealeboga Balemogi. Onkarabile Ntshimane won spirit of UB sports award.

Speaking during the event, acting deputy vice chancellor, student affairs, Motsei Rapelana thanked the media for their presence, noting that it was only through the media that the nation got to appreciate the role that UB played in sports development.

She highlighted that the aim of the event was to celebrate students who excelled in various sporting codes.

Rapelana pointed out that UB empowered students to become global citizens in their academic as well as their social lives through sporting and recreation activities.

“The university not only strives to create a holistic environment that ensures learning becomes central, but also continues to establish and develop a range of social, cultural as well as recreational activities,” she said.

She said the university had a role to play in determining the strategic road map of Botswana, citing that UB had in the past hosted international events. Rapelana said UB was committed to growth and sports development in Botswana. According to the director in the department of culture, sports and recreation, Raj Rathedi, sports and recreation awards started in 2008.

Rathedi added that the objective was to appreciate and acknowledge UB students and staff for their contribution to sports development.

He also said the awards were meant to acknowledge various organisations and individuals who assisted the university to grow and develop sport. Rathedi pointed out that there was no sport association or national team that had not benefitted from products of UB sport, either as players or officials. ENDS