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Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter

THE ANNUAL National Sports Awards are set to return next year with athletes that were outstanding, in 2020 and 2021, being honoured, for their efforts.

The awards were shelved this year, because of reduced activity in 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sports and Recreation Commission acting director-general, Sebastian Garikai, said the event will be back next year.

“The Annual National Sporting Awards are held in the first quarter of the following year.

“In this instance the 2021 Annual National Sporting Awards will be held in the first quarter of 2022,” said Garikai.

Football, karate and netball, among others, were categorised as high risk codes and did not have competitions, last year.

However, there has been some improvement, with more sporting activities taking place this year, although have been some disruptions.

The senior netball team this year managed to fulfil two assignments, after a two-year break.

The Mighty Warriors took part in the COSAFA Women’s Championship, where they found the going tough, to bow out in the group stages.

Zimbabwe also sent a team to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games although they struggled as well.

A 10-member triathlon team took part at the 2021 Africa Championships in Egypt and won five medals.

Zimbabwe is hosting the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier to decide the three remaining nations to qualify for the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022.

Athletics had a number of representatives, at the Cape Town Marathon, who were seeking qualification, for next year’s World Championships.

“Sport has somewhat resumed in 2021 hence there will be basis to review performance.

‘‘The awards will incorporate 2020 and 2021 achievements as the last ANSA Awards were held in 2020,” said Garikai.