Botswana came together on 9 May to celebrate sporting excellence, dedication, and national pride at the 45th Botswana Sport Awards held at the Gaborone International Convention Centre. The event carried the theme “Forged champions – Rewarding earned stripes,” which highlighted the discipline, sacrifice, and consistency required to reach elite levels in sport. The ceremony recognised athletes, coaches, journalists, teams, and institutions that have contributed to the growth of sport across the country. It also reflected the increasing professionalism and competitiveness of Botswana’s sporting landscape. The atmosphere at the venue showed strong national support for sport as a key driver of youth development and international representation.
The awards honoured individuals across a wide range of categories, starting with Sports Administrator of the Year, which went to Kudzanani Motswagole from Table Tennis. The Non-Citizens Sport Award was presented to Sensei Rene William Matike Ndoumbe for his contribution to Judo, highlighting the value of international expertise in local sport development. Naledi Chabe received the WASBO Special Award for Rugby, recognising commitment and impact within the sport. The Sport Code of the Year was awarded to the Botswana Swimming Sport Association, acknowledging growth and performance in swimming. These categories demonstrated the importance of both leadership and technical development in strengthening sporting codes.
Media and communication in sport also received strong recognition during the ceremony. Thato Ralotsia was named Electronic Journalist of the Year for outstanding sports coverage, while Anastacia Sibanda from Daily News won Print Journalist of the Year. Letlhogonolo Mawila, also from Daily News, earned Photographer of the Year for capturing defining sporting moments throughout the year. Botswana Television was awarded Electronic Media House of the Year, reflecting its consistent sports broadcasting coverage. Botswana Guardian received the Print Media House of the Year award for its contribution to sports journalism and reporting. These awards highlighted the critical role media plays in promoting athletes and increasing public engagement with sport.
Officials and referees were also acknowledged for their role in ensuring fair competition. Dorothy Okatch received the Empire or Referee of the Year award for her work in basketball officiating. Her recognition reflected the importance of strong officiating systems in maintaining integrity in sport. Coaching excellence was also celebrated, with Chilume Ntshwarang named Coach of the Year for achievements in athletics. The Team of the Year award went to the Athletics Senior Men 4 x 400m Relay Team, recognising their coordination, discipline, and performance on the track. These awards reinforced the importance of teamwork, leadership, and technical expertise in achieving sporting success.
Young athletes were strongly represented at the event, showing the future strength of Botswana sport. Ntungamili Raguin won Junior Male Sportsperson of the Year for tennis, while Melodi Saleshando received Junior Female Sportsperson of the Year, also for tennis. These awards highlighted the growing talent pipeline in individual sports. Athletes with disabilities were also recognised for their excellence and resilience, with Gloria Majaga winning Female Sportsperson with Disability under PASSOBO and Bose Mokgwathi receiving Male Sportsperson with Disability, also under PASSOBO. Their achievements demonstrated inclusivity and the expanding opportunities within Botswana sport.
Athletics dominated several top categories, reflecting its continued strength in Botswana’s sporting success. Oratile Nowe was named Sport Woman of the Year for her outstanding performances in athletics. Collen Kebinatshipi received Sportman of the Year, recognising his excellence and consistency on the track. The Public Athlete of the Year award went to Neo Modise for his achievements in Judo, showing the diversity of sporting talent across disciplines. The Minister’s Award was presented to Goitseone Phoko for contributions to football, further highlighting the importance of team sports in national development. These awards showed a balance between individual brilliance and team contribution across different sporting codes.
The highest institutional honour of the evening, the President’s Award, was presented to Debswana for its continued support of sport development in Botswana. The recognition highlighted the role of corporate partnerships in sustaining sporting programmes and athlete development. The ceremony as a whole reflected a strong commitment to rewarding hard work, discipline, and national pride across all levels of sport. It also reinforced the importance of investment in infrastructure, coaching, and athlete support systems. As Botswana continues to build its sporting reputation, the 45th Botswana Sport Awards served as a reminder that consistent effort and dedication remain at the heart of every achievement.
