The battle for sport excellence in Botswana is arguably laid bare for all categories.
The 2025 Botswana National Sport Awards have produced a strong list of nominees for sportsman and sportswoman of the Year. The jury is still out there for all to see for any determination that will be made.
Athletes, footballers, judo, chess and karate persona are all in contention.
The category highlights those who performed well both locally and internationally and this year’s race is tight.
In the Sportsman of the Year category, Collen Kebinatshipi is one of the leading names. The sprinter had a big year in 2025, winning double gold at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. He also set a new national record of 43.53 in the 400m and won several Diamond League races. Kebinatshipi also played a key role in Botswana’s men’s 4x400m relay team that made history by becoming the first African country to win the world title.
Footballer Goitseone Phoko is also in the running after a strong season for both club and country. He helped Jwaneng Galaxy win the Orange FA Cup, which secured a place in the CAF Confederation Cup. At national level, Phoko was part of the Zebras squad that qualified for AFCON 2025, playing all six matches. He also featured in seven FIFA World Cup qualifiers and impressed in the opening match of AFCON.
Judoka Tumiso Phuthego completes the men’s shortlist. He dominated local competitions and won gold at the Zambia National Judo Championships. On the international stage, he competed in the IJF World Judo Tour and reached the round of 16 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam. His performances show steady progress in the sport.
In the Sportswoman of the Year category, Oratile Nowe leads a strong group after an excellent year in athletics. She reached the semi-finals of the 800m at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo and broke the national record six times in 2025. She also won the national title and finished the year ranked 16th in the world.
Natalie Katlo Banda has also been nominated after consistent results in chess. She won medals at major competitions, including bronze at the Zone 4.5 Chess Championships in Angola and another bronze at the Africa Youth Chess Championships in Zimbabwe. She is currently the highest-rated active female chess player in Botswana.
Karate athlete Centy Thato Kgosikoma is the third nominee. She won gold in both individual and team kata at the national championships. She also won bronze at the UFAK Championships in Nigeria and qualified for the World Championships.
The nominees in both categories have delivered strong results and represented Botswana well. The final decision will come down to who had the biggest impact during the year under review. The Awards are billed for next week Saturday 9th May at Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC).
