Hour of reckoning as BNSC holds Sport Awards

The awards come as the country is fresh from hosting a hugely successful World Relays 2026 and has seen its status as a rising athletics powerhouse burgeon. The past year was defined by some of the finest moments in the nation’s sporting history, with athletics and tennis in particular delivering watershed moments. Amongst the standout athletes who will compete for the prestigious Sportsperson of the Year are Collen Kebinatshipi and Ntungamili Raguin.

The adjudicators faced a tough time picking the winners who will be announced at the black-tie event tomorrow. It will be the new BNSC chief executive officer, Olebile Sikwane’s first awards since he took office in January. Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation.

So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door…