Zimbabwe ready to host 9th edition of prestigious RASA Awards, says Sports Minister Sanyatwe
HARARE – All is set for Zimbabwe to host the 2025 edition of the Regional Annual Sports Awards (RASA), scheduled for 24 May at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC), Rainbow Towers in Harare.
This has been officially confirmed in a statement issued by the newly appointed Minister of Sports, Retired Lieutenant General Anselem Sanyatwe.
Reads the statement: “Zimbabwe will host the 2025 edition of the Regional Annual Sports Awards (RASA) on the 24th of May 2025 at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC), Rainbow Towers in Harare.”
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to be the guest of honour at the prestigious event, which will be held under the auspices of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5.
Speaking on the importance of the awards, Minister Sanyatwe assured stakeholders of Zimbabwe’s readiness to deliver a memorable ceremony.
“The Ministry assures the region and all stakeholders that Zimbabwe is fully prepared to deliver a world-class award ceremony. Zimbabwe’s hosting reflects a national commitment to sport, youth development, and regional integration.
“These awards ceremony are organised in close partnership with the AUSC Region 5 Secretariat.
“RASA is a celebration of the values that sport represents: unity, excellence, perseverance, and hope.
“It offers us the opportunity to honour the best sporting talents in Southern Africa and to demonstrate Zimbabwe’s readiness to host events of regional and international significance,” he added.
Furthermore, Minister Sanyatwe highlighted the impact of hosting RASA 2025.
“By hosting RASA 2025, Zimbabwe will be making a significant contribution in realising its National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) goals, while also showcasing the depth of its hospitality, talent, and cultural vibrancy.
“Zimbabwe’s successful thrust to host the 2025 RASA awards is a result of the country’s proven capacity to organize high-profile sporting events.
“Zimbabwe has hosted with distinction the 2014 AUSC Region 5 Youth Games, AUSC regional meetings held just last year, 2024, in November and the immaculate cultural night festival which mesmerised our visitors.
“These awards serve not only as a celebration of athletic achievement but also as a platform to foster regional solidarity, promote gender equality, and encourage participation in sport.
“They align with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the aspiration of building a peaceful, integrated, and prosperous Africa through sport and culture.”
Established in 2016, the RASA awards recognise outstanding achievements by athletes, coaches, administrators, journalists, and volunteers across the ten Member States of AUSC Region 5: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
