On May 24, 2025, Zimbabwe proudly hosted the 7th edition of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Regional Annual Sports Awards (RASA) at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC). This prestigious event celebrated athletic excellence across the region under the theme, “Celebrating Excellence, Inspiring Innovation.” The ceremony was inaugurated by Honourable Oppah Chamu Zvipange Muchinguri Kashiri, representing President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, alongside the Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Honourable Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Amb. A.N. Sanyatwe.

The atmosphere at the HICC was electric, filled with anticipation and pride as the region came together to recognize and honor outstanding achievements in sports. The AUSC Region 5 RASA Awards serve as an important platform to motivate member states, teams, and individual athletes by acknowledging their hard work and accomplishments. This year’s event highlighted the dedication, perseverance, and talent that define the sporting ecosystem of Southern Africa.

The pinnacle of the evening arrived with the announcement of the most coveted individual awards, recognizing a diverse array of talents and achievements in sport. Notable winners included Mercy Chipasa from Zambia, named Junior Female Sports Person of the Year for her contributions to football, while Collen Busang Kebinatshipi from Botswana received the Junior Male Sports Person of the Year award for athletics. The title of Sports Woman of the Year with a Disability was awarded to Simoné Kruger from South Africa, while the Sportsman of the Year with a Disability went to Mpumelelo Mhlongo, also from South Africa. The Team of the Year honor was awarded to the Botswana 4×400 Men’s Relay Team for their exceptional performance in athletics, and Coach of the Year went to Kebonyemodisa Dose Mosimanyane from Botswana. The Confederation of the Year was recognized as Swimming, and the Sports Journalist of the Year award was presented to Ellina Mhlanga from Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe was celebrated as the Sports Nation of the Year, and Letsile Tebogo from Botswana was named Sportsman of the Year for his achievements in athletics. Finally, the Sportswoman of the Year award was given to Tabitha Chawinga from Malawi for her outstanding contributions to football.

During her speech at the RASA Awards, Honourable O.C.Z. Muchinguri Kashiri emphasized, “To all nominees and winners, your achievements are not merely personal victories; they are milestones for your nations and the region at large. You are ambassadors of the SADC spirit; united, diverse, and determined to rise. I congratulate you and urge you to remain role models of integrity, perseverance, and excellence. Let me also extend my gratitude to the African Union Sports Council Region 5 for its continued commitment to youth empowerment and sports development. Your efforts in encouraging platforms like RASA strengthen not only our sporting structures but also our collective identity as a region that believes in the transformative power of sport.”

The successful hosting of the AUSC Region 5 RASA Awards marks a significant milestone for Zimbabwe, showcasing its capacity to stage high-profile continental events and its commitment to the development of sports within the region. The awards ceremony unfolded with grace and dynamism, celebrating the remarkable talent and unrelenting spirit of the region’s athletes, coaches, and administrators. Each award presented is evidence to countless hours of training and dedication.

The 2025 AUSC Region 5 RASA Awards were a resounding success, celebrating the spirit of sportsmanship and excellence in Southern Africa. The event left a lasting legacy, inspiring future generations and fostering a sense of unity among the nations involved. As delegates and award recipients departed the HICC, the echoes of celebration and the spirit of camaraderie lingered in the air, reaffirming Zimbabwe’s position as a key player in the regional sporting fraternity. The future of AUSC Region 5 sports shines brightly, fueled by the achievements recognized and the partnerships forged during this memorable evening in Harare.