Katisenge -Tizhani gets AUSC Region 5 nod
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday August 31, 2026 06:00
Some of the initiatives of the working group include advancing gender equality, increasing female representation in decision-making, and creating safe and inclusive sport systems across Southern Africa.
Her appointment was made by AUSC Region 5, where she currently serves as the new chairperson of the AUSC Region 5 Women in Sport Committee.
Katisenge-Tizhani told MmegiSport that the appointment recognises her longstanding contribution to sport development, women’s leadership, inclusion, governance, and empowerment across Botswana, the region, Africa, and internationally.
“The AUSC Women and Girls in Sport Working Group serves as a technical and advisory mechanism to advance the African Union (AU) priorities on gender equity, women’s empowerment, leadership, safeguarding, inclusion, and participation in sport,” she explained.
“Its mandate is aligned with key AU frameworks, including Agenda 2063, the AU Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Strategy, the AU Policy Framework for the Sustainable Development of Sport in Africa (2018–2028), the Maputo Protocol, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (2025).”
According to Katisenge-Tizhani, the Working Group aims to create an enabling environment in which women and girls can access, participate in, lead and benefit from sport across Africa.
By joining the Working Group, she brings with her a rich and diverse sport leadership profile spanning local, continental and international platforms.
Her journey in sport began in chess, where she transitioned from being a player to a club administrator at the age of 23.
She went on to serve the Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) in several leadership roles between 2008 and 2017, including club secretary, additional member, secretary-general, and public relations officer.
Katisenge-Tizhani’s influence in chess extended beyond Botswana.
She served as a councillor on the International Chess Federation Commission for Women in Chess and as secretary of the African Chess Confederation Women’s Commission, contributing to the advancement of women’s participation and leadership in the sport.
Katisenge-Tizhani added that her role has not been limited to chess, as she has made contributions across different sporting codes and structures.
She has served as marketing officer for the Gaborone International Meet (GIM), now the Botswana Golden Grand Prix.
Equally, she was a member of the Botswana Football Association (BFA) Club Licensing Committee and a member of the Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF) Marketing Commission.
Katisenge-Tizhani’s strong resume also lists chairing the Botswana Sport Volunteers Movement (SVM) from 2019 to 2021 as one the role she performed, a demonstration for her commitment to volunteerism, community participation and strengthening support systems within sport.
“As the founder of Limitless Minds, an inclusive chess academy, I have helped advance access to chess and promote inclusion through sport and mind games in Botswana. As WASBO chairperson, I continue to advocate for women’s and girls’ participation, representation, leadership, and visibility in sport.
“My role in AUSC Region 5 positions me as a key voice in regional efforts to strengthen gender equality and create more opportunities for women and girls in sport. My appointment to the AUSC Region 5 Women and Girls in Sport Working Group is a significant milestone that reflects my dedication to using sport as a tool for empowerment, inclusion, leadership, and sustainable development.
“It also strengthens Botswana and AUSC Region 5’s representation in continental efforts to ensure that women and girls are not only participants in sport, but also leaders, decision-makers, and beneficiaries of Africa’s sport development agenda,” Katisenge-Tizhani added.
For his part, AUSC Region 5 CEO, Stanley Mutoya, said Katisenge-Tizhani was elected by all Women in Sport (WIS) representatives from member countries.