HARARE — The African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region Five meetings, underway in Harare, have centered on homegrown solutions aimed at transforming sport from dependency to becoming a self-sustaining sector,” Chief Executive Officer Stanley Mutoya said.
“We want our committees to reflect and deliberate on various issues to ensure sport becomes a productive and self-sustaining sector,” Mutoya said, speaking on the sidelines of the meetings. He highlighted that the current discussions are rooted in a framework established to elevate sports development across the region.
Mutoya outlined the structure that guides the council’s work, noting its evolution from the Supreme Council of Sports in Africa to the present-day AUSC Region Five. “The heads of state and government initially defined the Supreme Council of Sports in Africa. Fast forward to January 19, 2022, our council of ministers signed a revised constitution establishing the current structure,” he said.
The current structure comprises six commissions: the Physical Education, Sport and Recreation Commission; the High Performance Commission; the Marketing, Business Development and International Relations Commission; the Governance, Audit and Ethics Commission; and the Budget, Finance, Risk and Legal Commission. These commissions are responsible for guiding policy and practice, with their chairpersons forming a committee of experts.
“These experts review recommendations from their respective commissions and present them to the Board of Advisors, composed of permanent secretaries from our member states,” Mutoya said. “The Board then forwards approved recommendations to the Council of Ministers, our highest decision-making body.” The Council of Ministers, comprising sports ministers from the 10 member countries, is currently chaired by Namibia’s Minister of Sport, Honorable Agnes Tjongarero.
Mutoya underscored the importance of the council’s commitment to creating an ecosystem where sports can thrive independently. “Our goal is to move away from a dependency model and to foster sports as a catalyst for economic and social development,” he said.
The meetings, which run until November 15, will also feature a ground-breaking ceremony for the Regional Museum.
The Regional Museum Launch and Cultural Festival will take place on the 15th of November at the National Sports Stadium and The Heritage Village respectively.
Ignatius Vambe, acting director of sport and recreation in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, expressed Zimbabwe’s pride in hosting the event. “We are honored to facilitate these crucial conversations that contribute to the advancement of sports and culture in our region,” Vambe said.
Mutoya added that the gathering in Harare reflects the AUSC Region Five’s commitment to fostering collaboration and policy development, enhancing the role of sports as a tool for unity and growth in Southern Africa.
