25 May 2025

Local athletes has once again made the nation proud, this time  securing five prestigious awards at the Regional Annual Sports Awards (RASA) held in Harare, Zimbabwe on Saturday.
Botswana’s sprinter, Letsile Tebogo delivered two awards that include the Sportsman of the Year beating Akani Simbine and Zimbabwean Tapiwamnashe Makarawu.
For the Sportsperson of the Year, he won against Malawian footballer Tabitha Chawinga and Zimbabwean Tapiwamnashe Makarawu.
Collen Kebinatshipi, the country’s 400 metres runner was recognised as Junior Male Sportsperson of the Year,  out shining Luca Fraser from Eswatini and Zambian chess player Rafael Sharon.
The Team of the Year Award went to Botswana 4 x 400 metres men’s relay team, outclassing Zambia’s 4x400 metres men’s relay team, and Malawi’s Under-19 women’s cricket team.
Athletics coach Kebonyemodisa Mosomanyane beat Namibian rugby coach Pieter Benade and Zambian athletics coach Douglas Kalembo to be crowned Coach of the Year.
 However, Oratile Nowe of athletics lost the Sportswoman of the Year award to Malawian footballer Tabitha Chawinga,
Chess player Natili Banda also lost the Junior Female Sportsperson of the Year to Zambian footballer Mercy Chipasula. Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) vice president Oabona Theetso said out of the five categories they were nominated in, they managed to win four, adding that such was a sign of growth.
“We are happy and proud of the athletes, this shows that as a country, we are not only recognised locally but regionally and internationally as well. They had other competitors but they emerged victors, it means a lot to the athletes and the country,” he said.
Theetso said the awards would inspire athletes in different parts of the country, adding that he was confident that more athletes would continue to represent the country with pride. “Credit should also go to all the coaches and supporting staff, who work tirelessly in ensuring that the country unleashes the best athletes,” he said. ENDS