Sport awards launched

By: SHEEFENI NIKODEMUS

THE annual national sport awards were launched at a low-key reception in Windhoek yesterday.

The awards ceremony – which for the past eight years has been jointly hosted by MTC and the Namibia Sport Commission – will be held at the Safari Hotel and Conference Centre on October 26.
Arguably the most noteworthy development was that of former Brave Warriors midfielder Sylvester ‘Lolo’ Goraseb being appointed to the panel of judges in place of former awards committee head Callie Schäfer.
The other panelists are Helge Schutz (Namibia Sport editor), Lesley Tjiueza (Namibia Broadcasting Corporation sport reporter) and Stacey Namases (Athletics Namibia).
The awards are meant to recognise the best success stories at all levels of sport. However, they have been dogged with perennial inconsistency in the nomination criteria and judging, which has led to discontent within sporting circles.
“As a commission we will try to improve on mistakes we’ve made in the past, “ said NSC chairperson Vivienne Katjiuongua in reference to past controversies that have blemished the event.
The event remains at a budget of N$350 000 and the organisers have not indicated how much the winners of the 12 categories will receive.
“We would love to have lavish extravaganza like our neighbours down south [South Africa] but we do not have the resources. We will try to have a prestigious event which is within our means,” said Piet du Plooy, the chairperson of the 2012 awards committee.
“We look forward to receiving nominations from the various sport federations,” he added.
The nominees will be judged based on their performances between October 1 2011 and September 30 2012.
The categories are: Sportsman of the Year, Sportswoman of the Year, Sports Team of the Year, Junior Sportsman of the Year, Junior Sportswoman of the Year, Disabled Sportsman of the Year, Disabled Sportswoman of the Year, Most Improved Sportsperson of the Year, Development Programme of the Year, Coach of the Year, Administrator of the Year, Umpire/Referee of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

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