Windhoek — Namibian cricketer Gerrie Snyman leads a strong lineup of contenders for the prestigious Sportsman of the Year Award when the country's leading athletes are rewarded for their achievements during the 2008 season at what promises to be a glittering gala in Windhoek this evening.

Snyman has done enough to stake a serious claim for the award this time around but the Namibian all-rounder could face some stiff competition from the likes of Brave Warriors' versatile footballer Jamunovandu "Congo" Ngatjizeko, cyclist Erik Hoffman, boxer Jafet Uutoni and equestrian Frans Saubek.

Long distance runner Helalia Johannes should have little trouble in showing her competitors a clean pair of heels in the race for the much sought after sportswomen of the year award.

Other nominees in this particular category are Salome Iyambo (soccer), Ramona Beukes (gymnastics), Agnes Samaria (athletics), and Beata Naigambo (athletics).

It will be a two-horse race in the junior sportsman of the year award with the Baby Warriors' acrobatic goalkeeper Collin Ndjai and swimmer Max Siedentpf out to topple each from the pedestal at the expense of wrestler Jason Afrikaner, cricketer Raymond van Schoor and Mrihei Anderson (gymnastics).

Junior Sportswoman Category

Anna Wucher - Endurance Riding

Bonita Bredenhann - Golf

Stacy Naris - Football

Kimberly Ann van Zyl - Gymnastics

Jonay Bredenhann - Swimming

Bianca Katire - Special Olympics

Most Improved Athlete Category

Petrus lotto - Cycling

Michelle Solomons - Gymnastics

Daniela Lindenmeier - Swimming

Colin Tjanda - Endurance Riding

Pikky ya France - Cricket

Best Team of the Year

Endurance Riding Team

Under-17 Football Eleven

Brave Gladiators

Senior Cricket Eleven

Under-19 Rugby Fifteen

Best Sports Administrator

Francois Erasmus - Cricket

Jacky Gertze - Women Football

Saty C Namases - Special Olympics

Dietland Siedentopf - Swimming

Hella Rust - Cycling

Best Coach/Trainer

Deon Kotze - Cricket

Jacqueline Shipanga - Women Football

Juliana - Somonfi - Gymnastics

Jacob "Mistake" Gariseb - Boxing

Nestor Tobias - Professional Boxing

Most Outstanding Umpire/Referee

Jeff "James" Luck - Cricket

Mathew Katjimune - Football

Dongina Risser - Gymnastics

Jacky Husselmann - Rugby

Timo Haikonda - Boxing

Best Development Programme

Cricket Namibia

Namibia Football Association

Namibia Wrestling Federation

Special Olympics

Gymnastics Federation