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Charles Manyuchi

Mbachi Mutukula-Maregere Sports Reporter
TENNIS coach Martin Dzuwa says it will be a huge achievement if he scoops the Coach of the Year award at this year’s Annual National Sports Awards tonight at the Rainbow Towers. Dzuwa is in the running for the prestigious award after his success story with the Zimbabwe Davis Cup team this year. “I used to think that the only sport which has a lot of recognition, at the end of the year, was football,” said Dzuwa.

“I am very happy and excited and even if I do not win the award I will always remember the day.

“This is a special day for me because I have been working hard and I just hope that I will be recognised.

“To be one of the finalists means a lot to me as a coach.

“There have been good results from our players this year and I believe it is all because we have been there for them and they have been following their training sessions well.

“The Davis Cup team’s performance was good this year.”

Dzuwa (Davis Cup team), Dhlamini Mtonzima (darts) and Phillip Tshuma (Junior Golf team) are the nominees for this year’s Coach of the Year award.

Football, which has had a miserable year on the international front, was not nominated.

The Davis Cup team has also been nominated for the Team of the Year category.

Young golfer, Yollander Mubaiwa, who is also in the running for individual awards, says she has had a memorable year.

“It is my first time to be up for the ANSA awards and I am very happy,” said Mubaiwa. “I won the female amateur Golfer of the Year award in June after an impressive performance in a number of tournaments.

“I won six local tournaments.”

Mubaiwa has a tough battle for the Sportswoman of the Year award against reigning Sportsperson of the Year, Cara Black, and Rutendo Nyahora, who excelled in tennis and athletics.

Boxer Charles Manyuchi is favourite to win the Sportsman of the Year and the Sportsperson of the Year awards after a landmark year.

He won the World Boxing Council welterweight title in March in Lusaka, Zambia, after beating Ghanaian boxer Patrick Allotey. He then successfully defended his title in Lusaka against Colombian challenger Deivis Casseres last month.

Karateka Winston Nyanhete and young golfer Scott Vincent are also vying for the Sportsman of the Year award.

Bowling has been nominated in the Sports Development of the Year category.

Unfortunately, talented motocross rider Daiyaan Manuel was overlooked for the Junior Sportsman of the Year award despite an outstanding year in which he was crowned the South African 50cc pro national champion.

ANSA Nominees:

Junior Sports Woman of the Year: Damiella Du Toit (rowing), Enarita Ncube (athletics), Rebekah Oberholzer (BMX)

Junior Sportsman of the Year: Cameron Hinde (rowing), Raphael Mukondiwa (karate), Michael Williams (triathlon).

Junior Sports Woman of the Year with a Disability: Patricia Bhebhe (athletics), Talent Kasera (athletics), Ashley Matanhire (athletics).

Junior Sportsman of the Year with a Disability: Lovemore Chimufombo (athletics), Batanayi Muroyiwa (athletics), Munyaradzi Musariri (Intellectual golf).

Sportswoman of the Year: Cara Black (tennis), Rutendo Nyahora (athletics), Yollander Mubaiwa (golf).

Sportsman of the Year: Charles Manyuchi (boxing), Winston Nyanhete (karate), Scott Vincent (golf).

Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability: Margaret Bangajena (Wheelchair racing), Magadaline Madzivire (Wheelchair racing), Thandiwe Ndlovu (Wheelchair racing)

Sportsman of the Year with a Disability: Viren Mehta (intellectual golf), Elford Moyo (Wheelchair racing), Samson Muroyiwa (wheelchair racing)

Team of the Year: Davis Cup Team, Junior Golf Team, Zimbabwe Darts women team.

Coach of the Year: Martin Dzuwa (Davis Cup Team), Dhlamini Mtonzima (darts), Phillip Tshuma (Junior Golf Team).

Technical Official of the Year: Rick Fulton (triathlon), Joyce Muchenu (basketball), Patrick Mukondiwa (boxing)

Women in Sport Award: Eugenia Chidhakwa (tertiary sports), Ginny Rose (hockey), Lyn Swanepoel (rowing).

Sports Administrator of the Year: Basketball Union of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union, Zimbabwe Karate Union.

Sports Development of the Year: Bowls Zimbabwe, National Darts Association of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Karate Union.