Jonas and Johannes crowned Sportsman and woman of the year

Swakopmund-Commonwealth Games gold medallists Junias Jonas and Helalia Johannes were the biggest winners on the night after they were crowned Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year at this year's Namibia Sports Awards that took place in Swakopmund on Saturday. The lavish ceremony, which rewards sports stars for their efforts in keeping the passion of sport alive in the hearts of Namibians as per article 31 of the Namibia Sports Act, 2003 was held at the Dome at Swakopmund. The all star night brought together the who is who of local sports - including the Minister of Sports, Youth and National Service Erastus Uutoni, who was the main speaker of the evening. As expected, both Jonas Junias Jonas and Helalia Johannes took the Sportsman and Sportswoman accolades respectively as a result of the gold medals they collected at this year's Commonwealth Games. “ I thanked thanked Erastus Lazarus, Namibia's former military attaché in Brazil, and his coach for believing in me while i at my lowest during my arrest” Jonas said. "The support from my coach and family has made it easy for me to achieve my dreams," Johannes e said. Other eye-catching winners on the night include 'Kids on Bikes' as the Development Programme of the Year and Limba Mupetami as Sports Journalist of the Year. The national rugby team took home the Team of the Year award. Patrick Esterhuisen was named Referee/Umpire of the Year and Tobias Nashilongo was crowned Coach of the Year. Beata Hausiku won Junior Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability, while Alfredo Bernard was awarded Junior Sportsman of the Year with a Disability. Carene van Zyl scooped Junior Sportswoman of the Year and Lance Potgieter took the honours as the Junior Sportsman of the Year. Lahja Ishitile, Sylvia Shivolo and Johanna Benson shared the Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability award, while Ananias Shikongo took home the Sportsman of the Year with a Disability award. The guests were entertained by local artists on the night.

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Kavii Vezemburuka