ZIMBABWE Sevens rugby captain Jacques Leitao says being crowned Team of Year at Friday's Annual National Sports Awards was a remarkable feat for the sport.

The World Cup-bound Cheetahs shrugged off a stern challenge from Zimbabwean soccer giants Dynamos, whose fairytale African safari saw them reach the semi-finals of the Confederation of African Football African Champions League this season.

"Soccer is big in this country and Dynamos played well this year," said Leitao. "But rugby is also a major sport in this country which has not been doing so well in the past. So this can only be a good thing for the game. A lot of people follow the game, and with all due respect to Dynamos, I think our achievements were not bettered this year."

Leitao, who has not played since damaging his hamstring early this month in a warm-up match against South Africa before the first leg of the International Rugby Board World Sevens Series in Dubai, said he was on the road to recovery.

Rugby and swimming dominated the awards at a low-key function on Friday night, topping in most of the major categories.

Cheetahs' coach Liam Middleton was deservedly named Coach of the Year for guiding the team to the World Cup to be held in Dubai next March, and generally for leading his side to commendable performances on the international circuit. Middleton's main rival for the accolade was Dynamos coach David Mandigora.

"He is a brilliant coach," said Leitao of Middleton. "I'm not saying no one would have done it better, but what he has done with the side is just unbelievable."

Bruce Hobson, the Cheetahs' manager, was named Administrator of the Year.

The Cheetahs will be among 24 national teams at the 2009 IRB Sevens World Cup in Dubai, next March.

Full awards list:

Sportsperson of the Year -- Kirsty Coventry; Junior Sportsperson -- Takanyi Garanganga; Sportsman of the Year -- Brian Dzingai, silver -- Ngonidzashe Makusha (athletics), bronze -- Robert Gwaze (chess); Sportswoman of the Year -- Kirsty Coventry, silver -- Cara Black, bronze -- Samukeliso Moyo; Sportsman with a Disability -- Nyasha Mharakurwa (wheelchair basketball), silver -- Elford Moyo (wheelchair (athletics), bronze -- Ryan James Abrahams; Sportswoman with a disability -- Elina Ndlovu(bocce), silver -- Tessa Chiremba (athletics visually impaired), silver -- Christine Chitongo (golf) Junior Sportswoman -- Elana Hill, silver -- Kimberly Eeson, bronze -- Moira Fraser (swimming); Junior Sportsman -- Takanyi Garanganga, silver -- Travis Brown (triathlon), bronze -- Archieford Gutu (soccer); Junior Sportswoman with a disability -- Auxillia Marongwe (athletics for the visually impaired); silver -- Rumbidzai Masvinge (athletics for the visually impaired), bronze -- Rumbidzai Chikoore (wheelchair basketball); Junior Sportsman with a disability -- Tendeukai Makumbe (athletics), silver -- Brave Pugeni (athletics visually impaired), bronze -- Brave Pugeni (athletics visually impaired); Sports Administrator -- Bruce Hobson(rugby), silver -- Ricky Fulton (triathlon), bronze -- Monty Thackray (BMX); Coach of the Year: Liam Middleton (rugby), silver: David Mandigora; bronze: Langton Giwa (Women's football); Technical Official(Umpire/Referee) -- Cathy Lobb (swimming); silver -- Benson Zwizwai (taekwondo), bronze -- Kenny Marange (soccer); Sports Development Award -- Taekwondo, silver -- Ladies golf; Team of the Year -- Rugby Sevens team, silver -- Dynamos Football Club; bronze -- Zimbabwe national Under-20 women soccer team.