Ntshwarang finally gets award nomination
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday April 21, 2026 09:51
He made history when his athlete, Busang Collen Kebinatshipi clinched the men’s 400m world title and also powered the men’s 4x00m relays team to become world champions.
Ntshwarang has been nominated alongside Phenyo Matong (tennis) and Tapaphiwa Tracy Gaebolae of women’s football Under-23 team. He told Sport Monitor that he was excited about the nomination and it serves as a motivation to even do even do better.
“This is my first time being nominated for coach of the year award and being with those other great nominees is an achievement. Winning the award will be a bonus,” he said.
Sports administrator of the year nominees are Kudzanani Motswagole (Table Tennis), Marea Modutlwa (Bowling) and Oabile Thona Tariq of football.
Modutlwa said the nomination means the world to her. She added the nomination highlights not just her personal leadership journey, but the collective progress of women in lawn bowls and Botswana sports.
“My purpose in life is being of service to others, adding value, and creating meaningful impact in people’s lives. The nomination is therefore testament to all the effort I put in to create opportunities for others and to make a contribution for others and to make a contribution to the growth and development of lawn bowls, not only in Botswana but globally as well since I sit on the World Bowls Athletes Commission,” she said. “I could not have achieved this alone, I have a strong executive committee who are committed and dedicated to the cause.”
For his part, Motswagole said his nomination is recognition of what they are doing as an association, and it is not about him alone.
Motswagole explained that he has been nominated for the award because he is the principal decision maker of the BTTA.
“What also excites me the most is also being nominated for National Sport Association of the Year, which is vote of confidence,” he said.
Swimming president, Kgaotsang Matthews said the nomination is a reflection of collective efforts by swimmers, coaches, clubs, and leadership working together to grow the sport.
Matthews noted they are proud to see their athletes being acknowledged, as they are the heart of everything BSSA does.
The Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) dominated the nominations announced last week, receiving eight out of nine nominations.
BAA is nominated as National Sport Association of the year alongside Botswana Swimming Sport Association (BSSA) and Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA).
Renowned athletics referee, Thomas Ndazila has been nominated as Umpire of the Year going head to head against softball number one umpire, Abel Mataboge and basketball renowned umpire, Dorothy Okatch.
Team of the year nominations are senior men’s 4x400m relays team against BOTESSA 4x400m mixed relay team and men’s Davis Cup team (tennis).
Kebinatshipi received a nod for Sportsman of the year and he will battle for the award against Goitseone Phoko (football) and Tumiso Phuthego (judo).
Oratile Nowe has been nominated for Sportswoman of the year against Centy Kgosikoma (karate) and Natalie Katlo Banda (chess).
On the other hand, Same Mohutsiwa and Justice Oratile have been nominated for Junior female and male sportsperson of the year respectively.
Other nominees in the same categories are Melodi Saleshando (swimming), Neelo Modise (judo), Edwin Junior Nyoka (bowling) and Ntungamili Raguin (tennis). Nominees for Female sportsperson with disability are Gloria Majaga (PASSOBO) and Omphile Bothasitse (tennis).