Sports awards to honour legends in Ongwediva
Sports awards
This year marks the first time the Wall of Fame will officially form part of the awards categories.
The 2025 Namibia Annual Sports Awards will be held in Ongwediva on 22 November, Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) announced yesterday, also confirming the introduction of a Wall of Fame category that will honour three legendary figures in Namibian sport.“We’re excited to bring the awards to Ongwediva and to add the Wall of Fame to this year’s programme,” said NSC vice-chairperson Patrick Percy Xoagub at the launch in Windhoek. “This honour recognises athletes whose impact goes far beyond the playing field.”
While the Hall of Fame was introduced last year to recognise the likes of country's first boxing world champion Harry Simon, world champion and four-time Olympic silver medallist Frank Fredericks and two-time Olympian and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Agnes Samaria, this year marks the first time the Wall of Fame will officially form part of the awards categories.
The NSC also announced that nominations will open on 25 July, calling on sporting bodies and stakeholders to submit entries for various categories.
Ongwediva steps up
Accepting the honour, Ongwediva Town Council expressed its appreciation for the opportunity to host the prestigious event, taking over from Windhoek, which held the 2024 edition.
“It is with great humility and pride that we accept the honour of hosting the 2025 Namibia Annual Sports Awards,” the council said. “We are immensely grateful to the Namibia Sports Commission for this vote of confidence in our town’s capacity and readiness to serve as a worthy host for this flagship event on the national sporting calendar.”
The council said it views the event as a platform to promote social cohesion, health and national pride, while paying tribute to those who fly the Namibian flag on global stages.
Celebrating sporting excellence
The Namibia Annual Sports Awards have grown into a national tradition that honours athletes, coaches, administrators, media professionals and development programmes.
Last year’s winners included hunting rifle world champion Stephanus Francois Marais junior, crowned Sportsman of the Year, while three-time Olympian cyclist Vera Looser took the Sportswoman of the Year accolade.
Paralympic champion Lahja Ishitile was named Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability, while World Para Athletics champion Chris Kinda was named Sportsman of the Year with a Disability.
2025 award categories
New category:
Wall of Fame (three legends to be inducted)
Main categories:
NASA Sports Star of the Year
NASA Sportsman of the Year
NASA Sportswoman of the Year
NASA Junior Sportsman of the Year
NASA Junior Sportswoman of the Year
NASA Sports Team of the Year
NASA Coach of the Year
NASA Umpire/Referee of the Year
NASA National Federation of the Year
NASA Lifetime Achievement Award
NSC Chairperson’s Award
NASA People’s Choice Sports Star of the Year
NASA Professional Athlete of the Year in the Diaspora
NASA Sports Journalist of the Year
Media subcategories:
NASA Broadcasting (Radio & TV)
NASA Print (Newspapers, Magazines, etc.)
Special focus awards:
NASA Sports Development Programme of the Year
NASA Community Inspiration Award
Disability sport categories:
Sportsman of the Year with a Disability
Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability
Junior Sportsman of the Year with a Disability
Junior Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability