Annual sport awards return with expanded categories

Erasmus Shalihaxwe

The Namibia Sport Commission (NSC) on Monday launched the 2025 edition of the Namibia Annual Sport Awards to honour athletes, coaches, administrators, and institutions across various sport codes.

Speaking at the launch, chief administrator Freddy Mwiya said the victories of Namibian athletes have built a legacy rooted in national pride. 

He said the celebration of sport is supported by the Namibia Sport Act, which guides the promotion, development, and recognition of sporting talent in the country.

“For 2025, we are pleased to announce that the nomination application system will open on Friday, 25 July 2025,” said Mwiya.

He urged federations and nominating bodies to submit their entries early to avoid technical issues closer to the deadline. 

“Please take careful note that the nomination portal will close on 30 September 2025, and, this year, absolutely no extensions will be granted. Timely, well-prepared submissions are key to the integrity of the awards process,” he said.

Mwiya added that this year’s selection process will prioritise transparency, fairness, and inclusivity. 

He reminded nominating bodies to follow the eligibility criteria and submission procedures as outlined in the awards rulebook. He emphasised that only complete nominations with all required documentation will be considered.

The award categories include Sports Star of the Year, Sportsman of the Year, Sportswoman of the Year, Junior Sportsman of the Year, Junior Sportswoman of the Year, Sports Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Umpire/Referee of the Year, National Federation of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Chairperson’s Award, People’s Choice Sports Star of the Year, Professional Athlete of the Year in the Diaspora, and Sports Journalist of the Year.

Special categories include the Sports Development Programme of the Year and the Community Inspiration Award.

Awards for disability sport will include Sportsman of the Year with a Disability, Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability, Junior Sportsman of the Year with a Disability, and Junior Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability.

Mwiya also announced the introduction of the Wall of Fame as an official award category. 

While legends were inducted for the first time last year, this year marks the first time the Wall of Fame will be part of the main awards. Three legends will be inducted in 2025.

“Beyond the Wall of Fame, the awards will continue to recognise outstanding accomplishments across a broad spectrum of categories, honouring athletes, teams, coaches, administrators, development initiatives, and lifetime achievers. Each category reflects the depth and diversity of our sporting ecosystem, ensuring those on and off the field are afforded their moment of recognition,” said Mwiya.

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