ACTING Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture minister Kazembe Kazembe yesterday officially opened the African Union Sports council (AUSC) Region 5 board of advisors meeting at the HICC in Harare yesterday.
The AUSC Region 5 board of advisors has been in the country since last week and has held a series of meetings focusing on enhancing collaboration and strategising for the advancement of sports, recreation and cultural initiatives within the region.
The AUSC Region 5 board of advisors facilitated meetings for key stakeholders from across southern Africa, among them being chief executive officers of sports commissions/councils and their chairpersons as well as directors of sport; permanent secretaries in the ministries responsible for sport as well as the AUSC Region 5 Troika of ministers.
In his speech, Kazembe hailed the significant stride the region has made in promoting sport.
“Let us first take a moment to celebrate the significant strides we have made in promoting sports across our region. The African Union Sports Council has been instrumental in facilitating various sports initiatives aimed at enhancing podium performance, good governance and equitable access to sports for all,” he said.
“As we look towards the future, it is imperative that we confront the challenges that hinder our progress. As a region, we are faced with common issues that range from access to sports facilities, adequate funding and effective governance, which require our immediate attention. Many of our communities, particularly in rural areas, face significant barriers to participation in sports.”
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Added Kazembe: “We have seen that if we give support to our athletes, they can perform at the global stage at the highest level on earth, as evidenced by what was done by our son from Botswana (Letsile Teboho). We must, of course, advocate for increased investment in sports, both from public and private sectors, and explore innovative partnerships that can drive our initiatives forward.
“I believe the board of advisors plays a critical role in shaping the strategic direction of the African Union Sports Council Region 5. Each of you here present brings a wealth of experience and knowledge that is invaluable to our discussions and decision-making processes.
“By working together with regional and international stakeholders, we can pool our resources together, share best practices, and create sustainable programmes that uplift our communities. I challenge you today to engage corporate partners and international sports federations. Together we can build a comprehensive support system that fosters atlas development and enhances our sports infrastructure.”
The AUSC Region 5 board of advisors’ visit to Zimbabwe will culminate in the launch of the regional museum launch at the National Sports Stadium and the cultural night festival being held at Heritage Village.
Also in attendance yesterday was Sports and Recreation Commision board chairperson Gerald Mlotshwa, Sports, Arts and Culture deputy minister Emily Jesaya and Eugenia Chidhakwa, who is the director sports and recreation at the Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture ministry, among others.