Caster Semenya dominates Rasa

Caster Semenya dominates RasaMashaya reigns supreme Athletes and journalists walked away with prizes at the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 awards at the weekend. JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA



South Africa's 800-metre sensation Caster Semenya was the big winner of the night as she scooped sportswoman and sportsperson of the year awards at the Regional Annual Sports Awards (RASA).

The ceremony was held in Windhoek for the first time.

Semenya won the sportswoman of the year award ahead of Malawi's boxing champion Anisha Basheel and athletics star Lerato.

Semenya was also chosen as the sportsperson of the year ahead of Kubudo martial arts star Wilfred Mashaya of Zimbabwe and Anisha Basheel.

Wilfred Mashaya won the sportsman of the year award ahead of South African swimmer Chad le Clos and Botswana athlete Isaac Makwala.

Two Namibians, sports writer Limba Mupetami and para-athlete Ananias Shikongo, fell short of winning despite their hard work throughout 2018.

Namibia's minister of sport, Erastus Uutoni, delivered the keynote address.

“It has been a pleasure to host this event in our country and I would like to use this opportunity to inform you that we have come up with initiatives such as a Sports Expo which will take place in September.

“I would also like to congratulate all the winners and nominees of these auspicious awards,” Uutoni said. African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 chairperson Vetumbuavi Veii also praised everyone that made the event possible.



Detailed list of the nominees and winners:

The list of final nominees was as follows:

Coach of the year

Gilbert Nyamutsamba: Rugby sevens (Zimbabwe) (Winner)

Samuel Sepeng: Athletics (South Africa)

Christina Mkwanda-Msinji: Netball (Malawi national under-20 team)



Journalist of the year

Tinashe Tirivavi: The Mirror (Zimbabwe) (Winner)

Motshidisi Mohono: (South Africa)

Limba Mupetami: Namibian Sun (Namibia)



Junior female sportsperson of the year

Moneyi Chingaipe: Athletics (Malawi) (Winner)

Lorryn Ashley Bass: Rowing (Zimbabwe)

Manqabang Tsibela: Athletics (Lesotho)



Junior male sportsperson of the year

Kennedy Luchembe: Athletics (Zambia) (Winner)

Blessings Kamanga: Chess (Malawi)

Ryan Gwidzima: Squash (Zimbabwe)



Sports team of the year

National relay athletics team: (Botswana)

Banyana Banyana: (South Africa) (Winner)

Netball (Malawi)



Sportsman of the year

Isaac Makwala: Athletics (Botswana)

Wilfred Mashaya: Kubudo martial arts (Zimbabwe) (Winner)

Chad Le Clos: Swimming (South Africa)



Sportsman of the year with a disability

Ndodanzi Jonathan Ntutu: Athletics T12 (South Africa) (Winner)

Celestino Elias Antonio: Football (Angola)

Ananias Shikongo: Athletics T11 (Namibia)



Sportswoman of the year

Anisha Basheel: Boxing (Malawi)

Caster Semenya: Athletics (South Africa) (Winner)

Lerato Sechele: Athletics (Lesotho)



Sportswoman of the year with a disability

Margaret Bangajena: Wheelchair racing (Zimbabwe)

Monica Munga: Athletics (Zambia)

Anrune Liebenberg: Athletics T47 (South Africa) (Winner)



Sportsperson of the year

Wilfred Mashaya: Kubudo martial arts (Zimbabwe)

Anisha Basheel: Boxing (Malawi)

Caster Semenya: Athletics (South Africa) (Winner)



Region 5 country of the year

Zambia



Confederation of the year

CANA Zone IV