Makwala gets BNSC nod over Amos
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday April 7, 2016 14:07
But after a year in which Makwala reached the finals of the World Championships while Amos went out in the semi finals, the 400m runner is now in contention to win the BNSC Sportsperson of the Year award.
The Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) technical committee chairperson, Glody Dube told Mmegi Sport that both Amos and Makwala did well last year. However, what worked in Makwala’s favour was his exploits at the World Championships in China, which carried more points compared to Amos’ Diamond League win.
“Amos was eliminated from the competition while Makwala reached the final. That is the biggest stage of athletics and that is why we submitted his name for the award. If Amos had also reached the final, we were going to submit his name,” said Dube.
Speaking at the nominees launch in Gaborone on Tuesday, the selection panel committee chairperson, Geoff Tembo said the awards are meant to appreciate excellence in sport, cultivate the culture of competitiveness and encourage good performance.
BNSC chairperson, Solly Reikeletseng said the team of adjudicators received submissions from national sport associations and diligently applied the evaluation guidelines to determine the finalists per category.
“Selecting the most deserving champion is not an easy task considering the level of competitiveness by all. The guidelines approved by the leadership of sport have given the committee independence to freely and fairly decide on the deserving candidates. The committee is free from interference of the BNSC secretariat and board,” said Reikeletseng.
The nominees:
Sportsman of the year: Makwala, Ofentse Bakwadi, Zibani Chikanda
Umpire/ Referee of the year: Joshua Bondo, Mpho Bakwadi, Emmanuel Kgaboetsile
Coach of the year: George Tshikare, Lechedzani Luza and Mogomotsi Otsetswe
Non-citizen award: Fazal Sherrif, Zilwele Khumalo, Darrel Morton
Group code of the year: Special Olympics, BOPPSA
Sports person with disability (man): Tshepo Kgatwane, Keataretse Mabote
Junior female sportsperson of the year: Galefele Moroko, Naomi Ruele, Naledi Marape
Junior male sportsperson of the year: Khaya Groth, James Freeman, Karabo Sibanda
Sports administrator of the year: Roslyn Tebele, Tebogo Lebotse-Sebego, Tshenolo Maruatona
National team of the year: Botswana Karate Association, Botswana Athletics Association, Botswana Volleyball Federation
Sports code of the year: Botswana Chess Federation, Botswana Football Association, Botswana Cricket Association
Sports woman of the year: Boikhutso Mudongo, Lame Hetang, Koketso Dipogiso.