The countdown has begun. In less than thirteen (13) days, on Saturday 27th March 2027, glitz, glamour, fashion and sport will collide on the red carpet at the 4th Vunani Annual Botswana Women Sport Awards.
On this day, Botswana will celebrate the achievements of her women in sports. Fittingly, whether by design or luck, this year’s celebration will fall in the last weekend of the month of March. This is a month designated and recognised as the Women’s month worldwide.
It is a month set aside to highlight, honour and celebrate women’s achievements and contributions to the society. As fate would have it, the Vunani Annual Botswana Women Sport Awards will bring a fitting closure to the women’s month celebrations in Botswana.
In accordance with the vision of the awards, organisers say this year’s awards nominees are nothing short of deserving. They have gone through strict vetting by a dedicated panel of adjudicators to pick the best from a litany of fellow deserving nominees.
The nominees span across different categories. They include athletes, administrators, coaches, officials and media professionals. In the words of the awards’ co-founder and organizer Portia Olopeng Mlilo, the goal is ‘to recognise, celebrate and elevate the achievements of women in sport.’
“For many years, women have contributed immensely to the growth of sport in this country, as athletes, administrators, coaches, officials and media professionals. These awards exist to ensure that their dedication and excellence do not go unnoticed.”
“This platform is not just about trophies and recognition. It is about telling the stories of resilience, determination and success that inspire young girls across Botswana to believe that they too belong in sport,” she says.
Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport and Arts Boineelo Hardy says the awards ‘represent recognition, inspiration and progress for women in sport in Botswana.’ “Our female athletes, administrators, coaches and volunteers continue to break barriers, challenge stereotypes and inspire the next generation to believe that their dreams in sport are valid and achievable.”
“The Ministry of Sport and Arts remains fully committed to the development and empowerment of women and girls in sport. Platforms such as these awards are critical because they highlight excellence, celebrate dedication and encourage greater participation of women at all levels of sport.”
While the awards are intent on honouring and celebrating women achievements, they also recognize men and organisations championing the cause of women in sports. As such, men such as Molefhi Obenne, who is a sports administrator, as well as athletics’ coach Chilume Ntshwarang are nominated in the HeForShe Champion category. Elsewhere, Absa Botswana, Choppies and First National Bank are also recognized as nominees under the Champions for Equality category.
Meanwhile, Pine Moresele (judo), Nalamalpu Saishanvi Reddy (chess) and Same Mhutsiwa (athletics) will vie for the Young Promising Athlete at the awards, while Gaone Poane (tennis), Naledi Chabe (rugby) and Ritah Nthaga (table tennis) for Umpire of the Year.
The Sportswoman of the Year will be contested by Oratile Nowe and Sethunya Buhle Majama of athletics, as well as Natalie Katlo Banda of Chess, while Boitshepo Disele (paralympics), Omphile Bothasitse (tennis) and Tlamelo Mogomotsi (special Olympics) will contest for the Sportswoman of the Year with Disabilities award.
Other nominees are; Grace Mmolai (boxing), Kebafhore Gakekgonwe (paralympics) and Bonang Otlhagile-Mosetlha (football) for Coach of the Year, Sharon Keakae (special Olympics), Daphne Rakobe (basketball) and Game Mompe (cycling) for Administrator of the Year, Gosego Nkwe and Gorata Kokole for Volunteer of the Year as well as Female Team Kata (karate) and Badminton ladies Doubles for Team of the Year Award.
