SWAZ rewards outstanding sports journos

By Tendai Chisiri
Sports Writers Association of Zimbabwe (SWAZ) rewarded its sports journalists members for their efforts in 2020 at the annual awards held at Harare Sports Club Friday.
SWAZ which had gone into oblivion for the past few years is set to rebound as its executive members stated whilst honouring its outstanding journalists with certificates, money prizes and hampers.
Sports and Recreation Council (SRC) Sports Development Director Sebastian Garikai who was the guest of honour at the event applauded sports journalists.He said sports journalists during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic kept publishing on the radio,televison,online and print about sports despite that no one was being engaged in sports.
“I would be very much happy to partner with your association in having workshops for sports journalists”, he said.
Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) executive committee member Brenna Matendere said the awards will go a long way in alleviating poverty and are pivotal to the livelihood.
“Sports jornalists were affected by Covid-19 as some lost their source of likelihood for example in the news rooms,some were left jobless whilst freelance writers had nothing much to write about “, he said.
The 2020 sports winners are, Sports Journalist of the year (Print) Austin Karonga with Daily News who walked way with USD150 and a hamper.Runner up in this category is Blessing Malinganiza with H-Metro.She scooped USD100 and a hamper.
Sports Journalist of the Year (Electronic) is Anashe Murombedzi with Heart and Soul. She received USD150 and a hamper. Trevor Makonyonga with BUSTOP TV is the Sports Journalist (Online) and he took home USD150 and a hamper.
Female Sports Journalist of the Year went to Sunday Mail’s Veronica Gwaze who got USD150 and a hamper.
Kundai Mudzviti a student at National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and also with Business Mail  is the Young Sports Journalist of the Year. She collected USD150 and a hamper.
“I am happy with the awards.Now I have added something to my festive celebrations”, said Blessing Malinganiza at the sidelines of the event.
“I joined Business Mail in June and am very happy to win in such a short space of time. It gives encouragement”, said Kundai Mudzviti in an interview.

The hampers were from National Foods Limited whilstTanganda Tea Company Zimbabwe Cricket, Herantals and Life Long Footballers Trus being the other sponsors at the event.